WelcomeTeamSchedulePromotions
Roadrunners 2008
Sierra Providence Events Center 2008

Weekend Ends Awful



Awful Weekend Ends Awfully for Rhinos
Dec. 20, 2011

LAS VEGAS, NV  – Let’s start with a positive just because I’m an optimistic guy…At least the weekend is over. It was quite possibly the worst stretch of four days the El Paso Rhinos have had all season; not necessarily because they ended it 1-3, but more so due to the manner with which they lost in. The three games El Paso lost in the WSHL Western States Shootout were to some great competitors, which is all the more reason to play harder than average.

This is the biggest stage of the season for the WSHL (yes, I would argue this has more exposure than the Thorne Cup Playoffs, but more on that later); if you aren’t bringing everything you’ve got then what’s the point of even playing the game? These are the same Rhinos who started the season 12-0 and in their last six games are just 2-4. This team has more ability than most of the teams at the Shootout, but when hockey isn’t played with complete focus then it will steam roll you. That is what happened to the Rhinos this weekend; they didn’t play up to their competition and paid the price for it. Coming into Tuesday’s game against the Fresno Monsters, El Paso had already shown their inability to adapt to the Shootout’s 2 periods of 25 minutes format, something that Fresno clearly had a knack for. When you aren’t good with change, stick to what you’re good at. You can’t control the format, but what you can control are the shots. It is proven that El Paso scores more when they shoot more.

Where did it go wrong in the game against the Monsters? Everywhere: It was a troublesome start for El Paso’s goaltender, Trent Casper, who gave up four goals in the opening 12 minutes of play (6 altogether); the defensive effort just wasn’t there, allowing just under 40 shots to be put on goal; and for the second game in a row, the offense failed to fire the puck on target at least 30 times. It just wasn’t there. Fresno on the other hand, had a fire under their you-know-what. These two played each other just over a week ago in El Paso where the Rhinos took 2 out of 3 in extremely physical games. This time, the Monsters were determined to avenge their losses; not only that, they had a chance to go 4-0 in the tournament and they brought the tenacity to do so.

Maybe the team just cracked under the pressure of playing in the big spotlight. This tournament gets even more exposure than the playoffs do simply because every team is on site for this, and even two teams outside of the WSHL (Southern Oregon and Seattle). This brings in two additional states and reaction from colleagues. Maybe the loss in the first game of the tournament was enough to shake them for the rest of the weekend. This seems unlikely considering they went on to beat the Stampede the following day. Maybe the goalie change shook up the team and the chemistry just wasn’t the same. It’s possible given that they were just getting into a groove after their only win of the weekend. Or maybe the Rhinos were just looking ahead to their Christmas break. If so, that is unacceptable. Regardless, they will have 17 days to fix whatever it was that caused this foul-up before their next series which will be on the road be against the Dallas Ice Jets to start the new year.

To end on a positive note, again because I’m an optimistic guy, the power play got on the box score for the first time in four games. In fact they Rhinos scored twice with the man-advantage thanks to Matthew Tritsch and Dallas Szustak. So if the team needs something to cheer them up, this is just about it. Other than that though, it’s going to be a long two weeks of contemplation after this one.

Matt Prosser, El Paso Rhinos Beat Writer for JuniorHockey.com. Matt is a freelance writer from the San Francisco Bay Area. For the past two seasons he has been the voice of California State University, Sacramento Hockey and is the host of The Sports Cycle with Matt Prosser on KSSU 1580AM in Sacramento and KSSU.com. His other broadcasts also include Hornets football, baseball, and softball. To get in touch with Matt for comments and writing ventures please e-mail him at [email protected]. You can also follow him on Twitter @kssuMattProsser or visit his website: www.kssusportscycle.com


Search Archive »





Browse by Month »

June 2020
May 2020
March 2020
February 2020
January 2020
December 2019
November 2019
October 2019
September 2019
August 2019
July 2019
June 2019
May 2019
April 2019
March 2019
February 2019
January 2019
December 2018
November 2018
October 2018
August 2018
July 2018
June 2018
April 2018
March 2018
February 2018
January 2018
December 2017
November 2017
October 2017
September 2017
August 2017
July 2017
June 2017
May 2017
April 2017
March 2017
February 2017
January 2017
December 2016
November 2016
October 2016
September 2016
August 2016
July 2016
June 2016
May 2016
April 2016
March 2016
February 2016
January 2016
December 2015
November 2015
October 2015
September 2015
August 2015
July 2015
June 2015
May 2015
April 2015
March 2015
February 2015
January 2015
December 2014
November 2014
October 2014
September 2014
August 2014
July 2014
June 2014
May 2014
April 2014
March 2014
February 2014
January 2014
December 2013
November 2013
October 2013
September 2013
August 2013
July 2013
June 2013
May 2013
April 2013
March 2013
February 2013
January 2013
December 2012
November 2012
October 2012
September 2012
August 2012
July 2012
May 2012
April 2012
March 2012
February 2012
January 2012
December 2011
November 2011
October 2011
September 2011
August 2011
July 2011
June 2011
May 2011
April 2011
March 2011
February 2011
January 2011
December 2010
November 2010
October 2010
September 2010
August 2010
June 2010
April 2010
March 2010
February 2010
January 2010
December 2009
November 2009
October 2009
September 2009
August 2009
July 2009
June 2009
May 2009
April 2009
March 2009
February 2009
January 2009
December 2008
November 2008
October 2008
September 2008
August 2008
July 2008
June 2008
May 2008
April 2008
March 2008
February 2008
January 2008
December 2007
November 2007
October 2007
September 2007
August 2007
July 2007
June 2007