Rhinos team captain Garrett Poland and winger Frankie Posilico scored twice and El Paso downed the New Mexico Renegades, 7-2, leapfrogging Tulsa for first place in the Mid-West Division in the process.
The Rhinos improve to 11-4-2 and, with 24 points, lead idle Tulsa by a point.
Trevor Anderson opened the scoring for the hosts on a delayed penalty, one-timing a tape-to-tape pass from Kyle Shapiro for the goal at 5:53 of the first period.
Todd Thomas notched El Paso\’s third short-handed goal in two games against New Mexico just over four minutes later, followed by a power play goal from Posilico in a three-goal first period.
Bryan Fiol got one back for the visitors to open the scoring in the second frame, but Poland scored at 7:38 to keep the Renegades at bay.
Garrett Phillips put New Mexico back in it with a late goal at 17:30 of the second, but the Rhinos responded with a three-goal third period to put the game away.
Jared Lehman, Poland and Posilico rounded out the scoring.
El Paso plays the Renegades once more Sunday afternoon at 5:30 p.m. MST. For tickets and information, call the Rhinos front office at 915/479.PUCK (7825) or go to www.elpasorhinos.com.
