El Paso Rhinos scored three goals in the second period to pull away from Springfield Express and clinch a 5-0 win.
Springfield Express’ power play was ineffective against El Paso Rhinos’ penalty kill, which allowed zero goals while shorthanded.
El Paso Rhinos was paced by Bryton Tomko, who registered one goal. Tomko scored on the power play 18:23 into the first period to make the score 1-0 El Paso Rhinos. El Paso Rhinos had gained a power play chance when David Higgs was whistled for tripping. Sebastian Borgassisted on the tally.
Referees had their hands full with a major incident at 8:38 into the third period. Four fighting penalties were dished out along with two game misconducts.
El Paso Rhinos was often in penalty trouble, totaling eight minors and four majors for 56 minutes in penalty time. The total exceeded the 26.0 minutes per game El Paso Rhinos had been spending in the box. El Paso Rhinos excelled on the penalty kill, not giving up a single goal in eight chances. El Paso Rhinos’ defensive play was more effective than usual against Springfield Express. El Paso Rhinos gives up 2.3 goals on average per game. El Paso Rhinos kept Springfield Express’ goalie busy throughout the game, and Oliver Eklund made 28 saves on 33 shots.
El Paso Rhinos also had goals scored by Kendal Craig, who had two and Vojtech Zemlickaand Martin Hanl, who scored one goal each. Other players who recorded assists for El Paso Rhinos were Robert Horak, Dominique Pozzi, and Koler Kanistanaux, who contributed one each.
Springfield Express forced its penalty killing units to work especially hard during the game, picking up nine minors and three majors for 43 minutes in penalty time. Springfield Express surpassed its season average of 23.0 penalty minutes per game. Springfield Express’ offense operated below its season average. Springfield Express averages 3.9 goals per game.
Adam Vay made 17 saves for El Paso Rhinos on 17 shots. El Paso Rhinos registered one goal on seven power play opportunities. For El Paso Rhinos, Pozzi and Marek Langhammer were ejected from the contest. For Springfield Express, Mike Heverly was ejected from the game.
–Narrative Science
