The El Paso Rhinos played against the New Mexico Renegades this past weekend, they’ll come back home to play the Fresno Monsters beginning Thursday night for USO Weekend.
Friday ended in a 4-2 loss for the Rhinos; Matthew Pietrzykowski scored in the first period, assisted by Brenden Gust, who scored the second goal of the night in the second period. Trent Caspar saved 22 of 26 throughout the game, but it was not enough compared to 57 out of 59 shots saved by the Renegades’ Eric Messer.
Saturday was the weekend’s first win for the Rhinos. Kyle Stephens scored the first goal of the night during the first period, unassisted on the powerplay. Brenden Gust followed during the second period. Trey Hughes, Matthew Tritsch and Tyler Basham each scored a goal during the third period; Brandon Smolarek saved 27 of 29 shots throughout the night, giving the Rhinos a win with a final score of 5-2.
Sunday’s final game was the second win of the weekend with a final score of 5-3. Goals were scored by Nicholas Sadow in the first period, Matthew Tritsch and Craig Hanisch in the second, and Matthew Pietrzykowski and Tobias Pehrson during the third. Brandon Smolarek only allowed 3 goals, and the Renegades once came up short against the Rhinos.
The Rhinos are back at home this weekend, playing the Fresno Monsters December 8-10. They are behind the Dallas Ice Jets in the Mid-West Conference of the WSHL with a 15-3-0 record this season.
Nidia Flores can be reached at nflores@elpasorhinos.com.
