The Colorado Grit’s losing streak gets pushed to three on Friday night at the El Paso County
Event Center, as they fell 4-3 in overtime to the El Paso Rhinos. Despite having the lead for
most of the game, the Grit were unable to hold off the Rhinos comeback attempt.
The Rhinos came out with intensity, pressing hard on the forecheck and pinning the Grit deep in
their own zone. El Paso forward Benjamin Winkelmann found an opening and capitalized on a
loose puck, scoring his fifth goal of the season to give the Rhinos a 1-0 lead.
Despite the deficit, Colorado looked to bounce back fast. With just under three minutes
remaining in the period when forward Lucas Mann buried the equalizer. His shot found the back
of the net and brought the game level at 1-1, sending the teams into the first intermission tied.
Colorado wasted no time grabbing the lead in the second frame, as Nolan Smith buried a short-
side goal just 39 seconds into the period, putting the Grit ahead 2-1. Fast pace play continued
with both teams trading penalties, leading to a stretch of 4-on-4 play. The extra space worked
in Colorado’s favor, as Evan Smutney pounced on a rebound to extend the lead to 3-1.
However, the Rhinos refused to go away quietly. With 7:17 left in the period, Roope Tuomioksa
cut the deficit to one, finishing off a beautiful feed from Kyle Arias. Colorado’s discipline issues
continued late in the period, as they took a costly tripping penalty with just ten seconds left,
giving El Paso a power-play opportunity heading into the final frame.
The Rhinos wasted no time making Colorado pay for their late penalty. Just 33 seconds into the
third period, Andrew DellaDonna found the back of the net, tying the game at 3-3 and swinging
momentum in El Paso’s favor.
El Paso thought they had taken the lead on a power-play goal,but after review, the referee
waved off the goal for a high stick. The game took a rough turn when Rhinos forward Kimble
delivered a massive hit that was ruled a five-minute major for head contact, resulting in his
ejection. However, Colorado was also assessed a roughing penalty in response, leading to two
minutes of 4-on-4 action before the Grit had a brief power-play.
The game tightened up, leading to a physical and chippy remainder of the game. Neither side
could break through, and regulation ended with the score still tied, forcing overtime.
In the fast-paced 3-on-3 overtime, it was the Rhinos who found the decisive moment. Harper
Lolacher sealed the win for El Paso, slipping behind the defense and burying a slick backhand
shot past the Colorado goaltender to end the game.
The loss marks yet another frustrating night for the Grit. Looking forward, the Grit will get their
chance for revenge as the two teams are set to face off again tomorrow night. The Grit will look
to shake the three game skid and get back on track.