Still Hot: Long Beach and El Paso Cruise to Thursday Wins

Photo Credit: Michael Cosman

Buzz 1 @ Long Beach 2: The Long Beach Sharks pulled away with a home victory Thursday afternoon over the Buzz by a score of 2-1. In what turned out to be a goaltending duel, the Sharks were able to find the back of the net when it mattered most. Jack Baker got on the board first for Long Beach, scoring off the assists from Payton Hauge and Eli McCarthy to take the 1-0 lead into the intermission. In the second, despite a plethora of chances no one could put home the puck, leaving it at a 1-0 game for the Sharks going into the last frame. In the third, Gustav Martinsson extended the lead to two with a powerplay goal for Long Beach, the assists coming from James Steinberg and Tegan O’Brien. The Buzz answered back late in the period with a tally from Theo Fritz, the play set up by Keegan Elliott and Jaylen Nurse to make it a 2-1 game. Despite some opportunities late in the game, the Buzz were not able to find the equalizer as the Sharks held off their late comeback attempt. In net, Jackson Horst put up a phenomenal performance despite the loss, turning away 52 shots for the Buzz. Yet, Long Beach’s Will Zinnen was able to stop 26 shots and clinch the victory despite the late attempts to tie it. For the Sharks, they notch their 23rd victory on the year.

West Texas 2 @ El Paso 6: The El Paso Rhinos emerged victorious Thursday night over the West Texas Wranglers at home by a score of 6-2. El Paso’s offense showed out to show out against a Wranglers squad in search of a victory.The scoring opened early in the first period as Evan White got things started for the Rhinos, finishing a play set up by Kenneth Cadwallader and Boston Cornic. El Paso added to the lead later in the opening frame when Carter Lehmann found the back of the net, with helpers from Parker Brinner and Cadwallader. Midway through the second period, the Rhinos kept the pressure on as Cadwallader converted on a chance created by Aldiyar Irik and Cutter Daniel. The surge continued shortly after when Cornic scored on the power play, assisted by Lehmann and Cadwallader. Late in the period, Tucker Sarkisian extended the advantage, finishing feeds from Mikhail Levaniuk and Huero Rivera. West Texas answered late in the second period as William Andegren got his team on the board with assists from Zachary Polkes and Austin Gray. Early in the third period, El Paso responded when Nick Nunez scored to restore momentum. West Texas added another late goal as William Andegren struck again, this time with assists from Justin Fielden and Polkes.