The Rhinos braved the cold temperatures and heavy snow as they traveled to Wichita to face off against the Junior Thunder over the weekend.
Throughout the weekend sweep, El Paso posted 31 goals while Rhino goaltenders Nils Velm, Lane Timmons, and Colin Woods only allowed 5 goals in all three games. Ten of those goals came on Friday night, when 15 different Rhinos earned points during the 10-3 win. Dillon Manchester and Max Kamper scored two goals each and Dominic Erdt tallied 4 assists. Just as there were many goals, there were many shots on goal and even more penalty minutes. Wichita’s goaltenders Bronson Sudberry and Robert Allen faced 67 shots and made 57 saves, collectively. The penalty box was rarely empty as the Junior Thunder had 71 penalty minutes on 19 penalties while the Rhinos had 62 penalty minutes on 17 penalties.
In game two, the Rhinos led the Junior Thunder in the scoring and the penalty columns. Kamper’s three goals and two assists, Filip Shultz’s pair of goals, and six other Rhinos’ individual goals contributed to the 11-1 final score. While the penalty minutes were fewer on Saturday, there was no shortage of physical play. The Rhinos still managed 56 penalty minutes on 17 penalties compared to the the Junior Thunder’s 35 minutes on 12 penalties. As a result, El Paso scored two power play goals and three shorthanded goals.
The series concluded in a 10-1 victory for the Rhinos on Sunday. Rhino forward Jonas Burman earned a hat trick and an assist, Donald Alchin tallied five assists and a goal and defenseman JC Dubecky had four assists and a goal. Just as in the first two games, both teams spent plenty of time in the penalty box. El Paso totaled 22 minutes on 11 penalties and gave up one goal while on the penalty kill. While the Rhinos’ penalty kill was almost perfect, their power play percentage was only 50% as they scored eight power play goals on 16 power play opportunities.
On January 25, 26 and 27, the team is back at home for a match up against the Ontario Avalanche. While the Rhinos sit atop the Midwestern Division with a 27-7-2 record, the Avalanche are fourth in the Western Division with 12 wins and 21 losses in 33 games. Both teams are coming into the series with winning streaks, the Rhinos with 4 wins and the Avalanche with three. The puck will drop at 7 pm on Friday and Saturday and at 4:30 pm on Sunday at the El Paso County Coliseum Events Center (4100 E. Paisano). Tickets start at $5 and can be purchased online at Ticketmaster.com or by calling the El Paso County Coliseum Box Office at 915-533-9899.