Lafayette centerman Guy Marcoux drew the Cajun Catahoulas even at 5:07 of the first before Kevin Coyne beat Lafayette on a draw to Parkyn’s stick side and Eric LaBounty one-timed the service past the surprised goalie at 11:42.
Costi Hinn notched the goal of the night on the power play at 18:29 of the first. Taking the pass from Hayden Kowalski at the near post, Hinn wound up and fired from the left corner just a step above the end line, solving the nearly impossible angle and beating Parkyn to the far post.
That would be all for the Rhinos, but it would be enough. Tyler Ridgedell beat the game’s Second Star, Anthony Natali, at 4:04 of the second period, but the Catahoulas could not beatEl Paso ’s defense the rest of the way.
Wilhite and Zach Kohn are tied for 11th in the league scoring standings with 28 points apiece. Wilhite has 13 goals and 15 assists, Kohn has nine goals and 19 assists.
The two teams face off once more Sunday afternoon at 5:30 p.m. MST and fans can listen in online at www.elpasorhinos.com (via www.audiosportsonline.com). Duke Keith and Michael Hissam have the play-by-play. Fans and media can also keep track of the game at www.pointstreak.com with live game-tracking, stats, standings and more. Just key “WSHL” into the hockey searchbar and follow the links.
At 7-0-0, Natali is the Western States Hockey League’s sixth-best netminder by goals-against average at 2.40.
