The loss snaps El Paso ’s 22-game winning streak, the second-longest in the Western States Hockey League this season.
After Eric LaBounty drew first blood for the Rhinos at 14:15 of the first period, the Rampage lived up to their name, popping five goals by El Paso starting netminder Arthur Hollinger and chasing him from goal midway through the second period.
It took an El Paso defensive lapse to getTulsa on the scoreboard as Brandon Castro was awarded a penalty shot. But Castro coolly beat Hollinger at 18:51, and the Rampage were off and running.
Tulsa ’s Nic Power was next, scoring a shorthanded goal just 11 seconds into the second period. David O’Connell scored a power play goal at 8:23. Corey Tobey got another goal only 53 seconds after that. But it was Castro’s second of the night at 10:42 that finished Hollinger’s game, the thiird goal allowed in under two-and-a-half minutes.
The Rhinos put three in the net to make things interesting as Bill Kruger got a power play strike to fall at 13:12 of the second. Zach Kohn scored just 37 seconds from time in the second period, and LaBounty got his second of the night at 13:38 of the third period, making it 5-4. But the Rampage answered with another two power play goals, from Craig Martin at 15:00 and Kevin Tromp at 15:25.
El Paso outshot its hosts, 39-32, but it was Tulsa that dug deep to find another gear. The Rampage (29-9-2, 50 points) made up ground on the Rhinos (37-1-2, 76 points) in the Mid-West Division with two more games to play in Tulsa before the season series draws to a close. Fans can keep track via www.pointstreak.com. Just key “WSHL” into the hockey searchbar and follow the links.
