Goals, Fights and Fun – Rhinos Down Thunder in OT [VIDEO]

A wild finish to a wild series saw the El Paso Rhinos outlast the Wichita Jr. Thunder in overtime, 6-5, Sunday, winning the three-game regular season series two games to one.

Chaseton Sare netted a hat trick and linemate Eric Johanson had a pair of goals, but the game-winner came in the second overtime off the stick of Arturas Lukaitis, who bounced the puck off the glass behind the net off the skate of Wichita goalie Adam Conkling and into the goal.

Sare's three goals give him 14 for the season, sixth-best in the Western States Hockey League, while Johanson is fourth with 20.

Every game of the series came down to the wire as both Saturday's and Sunday's games finished 6-5 in overtime -- the Thunder winning Saturday, the Rhinos Sunday -- while El Paso notched an empty-netter in the final seconds of a 4-2 win Friday.

The Rhinos improved to 15-2-1 and now lead the WSHL's Mid-Western Division with 31 points, though idle Oklahoma City is just off the pace with 28 points.

Wichita drops to 8-7-3 and remains in fourth place, but with 19 points in what is perhaps the most competitive division in the league.

El Paso will return home after a six-game road swing to face the Valencia Flyers, Dec. 9-11, at the El Paso County Events Center. For tickets and information, contact the Rhinos front office at 915.479.PUCK (7825), or go to www.elpasorhinos.com