Friday: El Paso Rhinos 8 @ Colorado Grit 5 – Rhinos are in Colorado for the last game of the year to face off against the Grit! What a match it was with Grit taking the early lead at just 6 minutes into the period. It wouldn’t be until the closing minute where the Rhinos finally kicked it into gear with a goal of their own, tying the game at 1-1 headed into the second. In a repeat of the first period, Grit take the lead only to be answered in kind by the Rhinos’ Mason LeBel scoring for a temporary 2-2 tie, but this was only the start. Rhinos went on to score thrice more this period; Twice thanks to AJ Reed and the third scored by Jakub Jerman. As we return to the ice for the third period the Rhinos are up 5-2 over the Grit. Camden Bajzer starts us off this period with a goal at just past 8 minutes, followed by a rapid back-and-forth exchange from both teams as Grit, Rhinos (Tafelski), & Grit score in quick succession. The Grit would take one final goal before the Rhinos put the period on the match with one more of their own to end the night at an 8-5 Rhino victory.
Saturday: El Paso Rhinos 2 @ Colorado Grit 1 – Returning to the ice for Game #2 the Rhinos & Grit are at it once again! Depape keeps the Grit at bay for the first period, but the Rhinos are also unable to take any ground leading us into the second period with no points on the board. The Grit seize an opportunity and take a goal at 3:19 into the second followed immideately by Camden Bajzer for a 1-1 tie. With no other scoring this period we move on to the third where we’d see only one goal from Tim Mathys who gave the Rhinos the win on a silver platter. The final score: 2-1 with Rhinos out in front.
