The El Paso Rhinos scored five goals in the second period to pull away from Wichita Jr. Thunder and clinch a 14-4 win.
Kendal Craig was all over the ice for El Paso Rhinos, as he finished with two goals in the win. Craig found the back of the net 13:39 into the first period to make the score 1-1 and again while 14:15 into the first to make the score 2-1 El Paso Rhinos.
El Paso Rhinos forced Wichita Jr. Thunder\’s goalies to work without much rest, racking up 55 shots and forcing 41 saves. Matej Varchola made 20 stops and Cooper Blaine made 21. El Paso Rhinos bested its season scoring average. El Paso Rhinos averages 6.3 goals per game. El Paso Rhinos found itself short handed often, totaling 30 penalty minutes and allowing 12 power plays.
El Paso Rhinos additionally got points from Reinis Vitolins, who also tallied two goals and one assist, Marek Langhammer, who also grabbed one goal and one assist, Jiri Pestuka, who also registered two goals and two assists to lead the team in points, and Martin Hanl, who also had two goals and one assist. Bryton Tomko also scored for El Paso Rhinos. More assists for El Paso Rhinos came via Lukas Znosko and Gavin Abbott, who each chipped in one, Patrick Stancl and David Brancik, who contributed two each, and Robert Horak and Dominique Pozzi, who each chipped in three.
El Paso Rhinos was unable to stop Wichita Jr. Thunder from sending pucks towards the net, and Wichita Jr. Thunder eventually piled up 34 shots on goal. Wichita Jr. Thunder could not stay out of the penalty box, as the team accrued 26 minutes in penalties during the game.
Wichita Jr. Thunder was led by Jet Bell, who finished with three goals and one assist. Wichita Jr. Thunder also got a goal from Patrik Janac as well. In addition, Wichita Jr. Thunder received assists from Zach Balodis, who had three and Brock Steffen, Jack McClelland, and Peter Cicmanec, who contributed one each.
El Paso Rhinos\’ Adam Vay stopped 30 shots out of the 34 that he faced. El Paso Rhinos registered two goals on seven power play opportunities.
-Narrative Science
