In their first division series of the season, the Rhinos faced off against the Dallas Snipers in Plano, Texas.

On Friday night, Rhino forward Jonas Burman opened the period with a goal just before the ten-minute mark. Salomon Aberg quickly responded with a goal for Dallas. Within the period’s final six and a half minutes, Zach Thompson and Chaseton Sare scored goals of their own to give the Rhinos a 3-1 lead.

The second period saw two Rhino goals by Sam Sykes and Dillon Manchester and a single Sniper goal by Leo Selitaj.

Dallas continued their attempt at a comeback with their third goal less than four minutes into the final period of play. El Paso, however, went on to end the game with four unanswered goals by Filip Shultz (2), Manchester, and Sam Robinson. Rhino netminder Kayden Pickles made 24 saves to help the Rhinos win 9-3 over the Snipers.

On Saturday and Sunday, new Rhino goaltender Nils Velm blanked the Dallas Snipers. Facing 49 shots throughout both games, Velm and El Paso’s defense held the Snipers scoreless for 120 straight minutes.

Despite a scoreless game for the Snipers on Saturday, there was no shortage of excitement. Game two saw 108 penalty minutes for both teams and ten unsportsmanlike conduct penalties were issued in the final two periods. Maguire Blair, Sare (2), Max Kamper, Martin Dubsky, Ty Erramouspe, and Robinson also scored to help the Rhinos win 7-0.

With only 47 penalty minutes between both teams in game three, both sides’ emotions had been dialed down. Rhinos Erramouspe, Dubsky, Dominic Erdt, Manchester (2), and Schultz, however, still managed to post six unanswered goals. Sunday’s final score of 6-0 earned El Paso their first sweep of the season.

Despite Dallas’ aggressiveness, energy and improvement from seasons past, they were still unable to pull out a win against the Rhinos. The rematch in Rhino Country, slated for Dec. 7-9, should be an exciting series.