(EL PASO, TX) — Once again the El Paso Rhinos forced the question, What’s your Plesa?
Brothers Nick, Matthew and Peter Plesa (pronounced PLESH-uh) were named First, Second and Third Stars of the game as the Rhinos rolled over the Dallas Ice Jets, 12-2.
Peter Plesa contributed four assists to his brothers, Matt Plesa merely notched the hat trick and contributed two assists, while Nick Plesa scored a Texas hat trick (four goals) and had an assist as El Paso (36-2-0-0, 72 points) bested the team behind them in the WSHL’s Midwest Division.
The Rhinos have sewn up home ice advantage in the Thorne Cup Playoffs for as long as they keep winning. The Thorne Cup Finals will be in El Paso, April 2-6.
In addition to the Plesa’s antics, Chad Cesarz, Dakota Beaulieu, Drew DePalma, Andrew Bradford and Jeremy Rezaeepour all tallied for the hosts.
Once again, the Rhinos\’ special teams were special, as El Paso scored three shorthanded goals, bringing their league-best season total to 35. The Long Beach Bombers are second in the league with 12 shorthanded goals.
If head coach Cory Herman had any criticism, it might be directed toward the Rhinos’ penalty killing. The Ice Jets (23-12-1-2, 49 points) may have been slowed by the 12-hour bus ride from Dallas, but looked crisp on the two power plays goals they scored.
Chris Schutz notched one to start the second period, Alex Devillier pushed in a hard-work goal on the man advantage in the third.
The two teams play twice more, Saturday night at 7:30 p.m. MST and Sunday afternoon at 4:30 p.m. For tickets and information, contact the Rhinos\’ front office at 915/479.PUCK (7825), or go to www.elpasorhinos.com.
