The El Paso Rhinos kept the lead in the Mid-West Division race with their 15th win against only one loss, keeping pace with the San Antonio Diablos at the top of the standings with a 9-2 win over the Dallas Hawks in Addison, TX, Friday night.
Winger Zach Kohn led the Rhinos with two goals and two assists, while centerman Nick Gorup and defenseman Drew Montage each had a three-point night with a goal and two assists.
Arthur Hollinger stopped 21 of 23 Hawks shots for his eighth win, with plenty of help from a vicious El Paso forecheck.
“We forechecked well and moved the puck well,” said Rhinos head coach Cory Herman of his team’s consistency of style. El Paso outshot Dallas, 67-23.
“Plus our d-men shut things down,” added Herman. “We could still be better in our own end, but it’s hard not to be satisfied with a seven-goal win.”
Although forwards T.J. Burger and Will Gillis had only one goal to their collective stat line, Herman singled both out for their play on both sides of the ice.
The Rhinos and Hawks meet again at 7:15 p.m. MST tonight at The Igloo in Addison for the second of a three-game series.
