Friday: New Mexico Ice Wolves 2 @ El Paso Rhinos 1 – The Rhinos welcome the New Mexico Ice Wolves for the start of a new series here in Rhino Country. We open today’s match with strong plays and great defense on both sides. No goal would be scored until the 17:32 mark where Zachary Ware takes one for the Rhinos to give them a 1-0 lead at the start of the first. This early game lead would continue partway into the second period until the Ice Wolves answered back with a goal of their own. Jo Kawagishi ties the game for New Mexico seven minutes into the second. Despite that being the only goal of the period, we would see tensions rise between the teams as scuffles happen and penalties are dished out. Neither team would let up any points in the third period leading us into overtime where the Ice Wolves’ Jameson Klein secures victory. Ice Wolves would end the night 2-1 over the Rhinos.
Saturday: New Mexico Ice Wolves 3 @ El Paso Rhinos 2 – Back on the ice for Game 2 of the series the Ice Wolves and Rhinos are on for round 2. Defense on both ends is on point tonight with no scoring after a relatively peaceful period. Tyler Dunkel starts us off tonight to send the Rhinos into the lead in just over half the period. With the Rhinos now up 1-0 the Ice Wolves answer with two goals of their own. Jameson Klein gives the Ice Wolves’ their first point at 16:48 followed by Braeden Whitesell at 18:20 to end the period with a slight 2-1 lead by New Mexico. As the final period starts the Rhinos aim to make a comeback from a 1-point defecit. Mike Sobaski saw his opportunity and took it to tie the game at 2-2 early in the period. Unfortunately for the Rhinos Liam Mooney scored the final goal of the night to give the Ice Wolves a 3-2 win.
