Only 26 seconds into game two between the Tulsa Rampage and the El Paso Rhinos, Bethel Park Pennsylvania native Tom Whetsel stunned the Texas fans by giving Tulsa the early lead. As has become the history between the two teams, El Paso was able to respond and the teams left the ice at the end of the period in a tie.
Shortly into the second an error on a Rampage power play resulted in both a breakaway and a shorthanded goal for the Rhinos. The El Paso team increased the lead on a five on three power play midway through
the second but Tulsa was undaunted. New Jersey native Michael Criscuolo cut their lead in half on an even strength goal which was followed by a Rampage power play goal scored by high school senior Brandon Kirchens. And once again the teams left the ice with a tie.
The teams came out strong in the third throwing shots on goal at both ends but it was to no avail and for the third time on the night, the period ended in a tie. The sudden
death overtime was all Mike Maczynski as El Paso took prime time shot after shot on the Rampage goalie but were stopped at every turn. Maczynski looked solid in the shootout stopping four of the five shooters but in the end, Rhinos captain Austin Balko was able to net the game winner for El Paso. Despite the loss, the goaltender had his second standout performance of the weekend, stopping 42 of the 46 shots he faced on the night.
At games end, Coach Marty Quarters reiterated his thoughts from the previous night. "We're obviously disappointed with the loss," he notes "but we're not discouraged. We're committed to the hard work that it's going to take to win the close games and I believe we will win."
The Rampage will play their final regular season game against the Rhinos on Sunday at 5:30 pm mountain time.