Brahmas Break the Streak
Feb. 10, 2012
North Richland Hills, TX – It’s been a few weeks since the El Paso Rhinos have known what it feels like to lose, but on Friday, the day that Star Wars: Episode 1 was theatrically rereleased in 3D, the Texas Brahmas reintroduced them to dark side. It was a highly competitive bout between two inter-state rivals that just wouldn’t budge. In fact, it took an overtime winner by Brittan Morris to end the game 3-2.
Although travelling El Paso fans went home disappointed, this was a game that defines why people like watching hockey: intensity, offensive chances, great goaltending, and fights. Both teams generated quality shots from all over the ice that saw open lanes and crisp passing to keep the crowd entertained. Chase Woods got the scoring underway for the Brahmas off of a feed from Brett Jacobson.
The Rhinos fought back quickly after the first intermission with an early goal by John Morales but before the second break Jacobson put Texas back on top. However the real entertainment was in the third period. With three fights and a game tying goal by Tomas Stastny for El Paso, the people of North Richland Hills received all their money’s worth in this game.
With everything on the line, (the win streak, the goal outbursts, the chance to run the table for almost the entirety of the 2012 portion of the season) the Rhinos went into overtime against the Brahmas. However, with one quick burst by Texas, El Paso faltered when they gave up the game winner to Morris. Even though the undefeated streak ends at eight, the Rhinos can still exit that game feeling good about their play and know they will get another shot at a great competitor on Saturday. Game one of this six game series goes to Texas and if it has taught us anything, it is that this will be a great couple weekends.
Matt Prosser, El Paso Rhinos Beat Writer for JuniorHockey.com. Freelance writer from the San Francisco Bay Area. Voice of California State University, Sacramento Hockey and host of The Sports Cycle with Matt Prosser on KSSU 1580AM in Sacramento and KSSU.com. Also broadcasts Hornets football, baseball, and softball. E-mail MProsser58@gmail.com for comments and writing ventures. Follow on Twitter @kssuMattProsser or visit www.kssusportscycle.com.
