Friday: El Paso 5 @ New Mexico 7 – The New Mexico Ice Wolves scored five unanswered goals as they took down the El Paso Rhinos by a score of 7-5. The two teams traded goals in the opening 20 minutes as Brandon Holt and Brayden Ring scored for New Mexico only to be countered by Nate Mann and Jonathan Horn. Donovan O’Neill potted a pair of goals and Horn grabbed another in the second period to give El Paso a 5-2 lead after 40 minutes. Grant Ellings and Alex Gomez got New Mexico back in the game right away as they each scored just 1:46 into the final frame. Wilmer Svensson tied the game with a power play goal six and a half minutes into the third. Holt’s second tally of the game came with just 2:06 left in regulation to give the Ice Wolves their first lead since the opening period. Gomez would add to the lead less than a minute later to secure the Ice Wolves win. Beni Halasz made 34 saves to earn his 12th win of the year while Connor McDonough stopped 38 shots in the loss for El Paso.
Saturday: El Paso 3 @ New Mexico 6 – William Howard and Tony Leahy each had a goal and an assist as the New Mexico Ice Wolves doubled up the El Paso Rhinos by a score of 6-3. Mitchell Becker, Jake Keller, Blayde Porgreba and Evan Carroll all tickled the twine for the Ice Wolves in the victory. Jack Anderson had a goal and two helpers for the Rhinos while Jonathan Horn and Matt Johnson each tallied a goal and an assist. Beni Halasz grabbed the win in goal as he made 26 saves while Connor McDonough was given the loss despite making 43 saves.
