Amarillo, TX – The Amarillo Wranglers defeated the El Paso Rhinos by the final score of 3-2 on Saturday night at the Budweiser Bull Pen. This was the 8th and final meeting of the regular season between the two clubs, with the Wranglers winning the season series with a record of 5-2-1 vs El Paso.
The Wranglers and Rhinos had both already secured their spots in the Robertson Cup Playoffs, but both looked to add a crucial two points to their total to secure home ice in the opening round. The Wranglers started goaltender Connor McDonough in net for the second straight night, while the Rhinos went with Joe LoVullo between the pipes after Michael Manzi got the start in El Paso’s 5-2 win on Friday.
Fans were still finding their seats when the game’s opening goal was scored. Just 1:01 into the first period Rhinos forward Eddie Shepler scored on the game’s first shot from Bradley Walker and Jakub Jerman to put El Paso up 1-0. The Rhinos were buzzing to begin the opening frame, but as time went on the Wranglers settled into the game and got some good scoring opportunities. Both teams were unsuccessful on their lone power play chance in the first period, although part of the Rhinos’ chance carried over to the start of the second period. El Paso led 1-0 after 20 minutes of play and outshot Amarillo 10-8 through the first period.
With the crowd fired up and giving them some momentum, the Wranglers were able to kill off the remaining part of the penalty in the opening minute of the second period. Then just moments later, just 1:21 in, Connor McNaughton scored from Topi Puikkonen and Kyle DeMarco to tie the game up at 1-1. The Wranglers added another goal with 6:40 to go in the second frame to take a 2-1 lead. Luke Morris found the back of the net with a one-timer off a cross-ice feed from Morley Phillips for the go-ahead goal. Elias Abrant earned the secondary assist on the tally. It looked like the Wranglers were going to keep the lead into the second intermission, but with 1:55 remaining in the period the Rhinos scored on a 3 on 1 the other way to tie the game at 2-2. Mason LeBel cashed in from Frank Tafelski and Tory Lund to tie the game after two periods. El Paso outshot Amarillo 22-18 through two periods.
With the game tied heading into the third period and the game having a playoff-type atmosphere, it felt like the next goal could potentially be the game-winner. The Wranglers made sure that they got that goal, as Topi Puikkonen cut into the slot and took a shot that beat LoVullo 4:18 into the final period for the go-ahead goal, and ultimately the game-winner. Puikkonen’s goal put Amarillo up 3-2 and was assisted by Viktor Budik and Connor McNaughton. The Wranglers were able to keep the Rhinos off the board for the remainder of the night en route to their 30th win of the season.
Connor McDonough stopped 35/37 shots faced for his 25th win of the season. The Wranglers improved to 30-19-6-2 on the campaign and retook 4th place in the South Division from the New Mexico Ice Wolves. Amarillo’s win over El Paso secured the season series victory, with the Wranglers going 5-2-1 vs the Rhinos this season.
Just three games remain in the regular season for the Wranglers, who will return to action to wrap up the campaign with a three-game set vs. the Colorado Grit on April 5th, 6th, and 7th, at the Budweiser Bull Pen. You can get your tickets at panhandletickets.com.