elpasorhinos.com

The Rhinos struck again in Dallas as they took game two in against the Snipers on Saturday night.

El Paso hit the rink running with a win on their backs from the first game of the series on Friday. The Rhinos began the first period eager for another win as the game started off strong in the Rhinos’ favor. The first period displayed each team’s defensive talents as the scoreboard stood scoreless until Phil Puligese netted a shorthanded goal with just under 5 minutes remaining in the period.  

The Rhinos led over Dallas as the game progressed well into the second period. Ingus Matins suffered a high-sticking penalty for Dallas but teammate, Sterling Cooper overcame El Paso’s one-man advantaged with a shorthanded goal. Chaseton Sare regained the lead for the Rhinos at the with just under 3 minutes left in the second. A minute later, however, Judson Bedwell tied the game at two. Adam Cech answered back and put the Rhinos back on top when he scored with only two seconds remaining in the period.

The final period progressed in the Rhinos territory as Sare extended the lead to 4-2. Almost immediately the Rhinos’ goal, the Rhinos and Snipers earned matching major fighting penalties. Before the third period concluded, the Snipers suffered a minor unsportsmanlike conduct penalty but managed to score in the last 37 seconds of the game. Dallas’ attempt to reign over El Paso wasn’t enough and the Rhinos took a close win with a score of 4-3.  

-Yazmen McCaskill