Rhinos 9, Thunder 3

Nov 30, 2013

El Paso Rhinos had a six-goal lead after two periods and cruised the rest of the way en route to a 9-3 win over Wichita Jr. Thunder.

Dakota Beaulieu was all over the ice for El Paso Rhinos, as he tallied two goals and two assists in the win. Beaulieu scored the first of his two goals at 12:07 into the first period to make the score 1-0 El Paso Rhinos. Roman Konecny picked up the assist. Beaulieu’s next tally made the score 5-1 El Paso Rhinos with 10:09 left in the second period. Trey Hughes provided the assist.

El Paso Rhinos forced Wichita Jr. Thunder goalie Jake Larson to work between the pipes, taking 75 shots. El Paso Rhinos surpassed its usual scoring output this season. This season, El Paso Rhinos averages 6.4 goals per contest. El Paso Rhinos could not stay out of the penalty box, as the team accrued 28 minutes in penalties during the game.

El Paso Rhinos additionally got points from Nick Plesa, who also grabbed one goal and two assists, Hughes, who also racked up one goal and two assists, and Peter Plesa, who also tallied three goals and one assist to lead the team in points. Others who scored for El Paso Rhinos included Andrew Bradford and Chris Wilhite, who each put in one. More assists for El Paso Rhinos came via Matthew Plesa, who had three and Chad Cesarz and Tom Bartel, who each chipped in one.

Wichita Jr. Thunder’s penalty kill was spotless, allowing no goals on three El Paso Rhinos power plays. El Paso Rhinos was unable to stop Wichita Jr. Thunder from sending pucks towards the net, and Wichita Jr. Thunder eventually piled up 35 shots on goal.

El Paso Rhinos’ Adam Vay stopped 32 shots out of the 35 that he faced. Larson rejected 66 shots on goal for Wichita Jr. Thunder. Wichita Jr. Thunder incurred 14 minutes in penalty time with seven minors.