The Rhinos improved their win streak to 17 Friday night in the first of three weekend games against the last-place team in the Western States Hockey League’s Mid-West Division.

El Paso improves its record to 32-0-2 and its 66 points lead the Mid-West by 12 over second place Tulsa .  

The Catahoulas’ Guy Marcoux drew first blood just 3:01 into the game, assisted by Steven Matuska and former Rhinos winger Rashad Harris.

But El Paso would answer with two goals in the final four minutes of the period, as Nick Gorup and Marcus Wilhite struck at 16:16 and 18:24 of the period, respectively.

The Rhinos ripped four more goals in the second period. Sean Molina got a power play goal at 3:49, followed exactly 1:01 later by Hayden Kowalski.

Defenseman Costi Hinn scored on the power play at 6:46 and Zach Kohn notched his goal just 44 seconds later.

Jeffery Schmudlach started the scoring and ended it in another four-goal period, sandwiching third period goals by Zach Hale and Anthony Paulsen, at 8:08 and 17:24, respectively.

Schmudlach was the only multiple goal-scorer for El Paso , as the Rhinos got goals from Anthony Natali picked up his 12th win, officially stopping 14 of 15 Lafayette shots.

El Paso went 2-for-6 on the man advantage and held the Catahoulas scoreless on four power plays, giving the Rhinos the WSHL’s best penalty kill at 91.98 percent.

The El Paso Rhinos have two more contests in Lafayette before returning in time for classes Monday. Fans can follow the action at www.pointstreak.com.

Just key “WSHL” into the hockey searchbar, then follow the links.