El Paso Wins The Cup

WESTERN STATES HOCKEY LEAGUE

THORNE CUP FINAL 2018

 After 11 extremely competitive hockey games, terrific sportsmanship shown by all teams, two teams, the El Paso Rhinos and the Ogden Mustangs earned their way to the final game, the “Thorne Cup Championship Game”.

On Sunday April 15 at 4:30 PM the two teams faced off to what would be one of the most exciting games in the 24 year history of the WSHL Thorne Cup.  Both the Rhinos and Mustangs showed why they were there, with a hard hitting, snappy passes, blistering shots, and fantastic goaltending. Late into the third period the score was tied 2-2.  With just under 3 minutes left a super sonic wrist shot between the legs of the defender, gaining elevation to just squeak under the top cross bar and into the back of the net.  Nikita Pintusov scored what would become the winning goal for the El Paso Rhinos.

The El Paso Rhinos skated off with the Thorne Cup, yet the Ogden Mustangs held their heads high for the terrific game they played.  It was a masterful game by both teams.

At the awards ceremony, the WSHL Thorne Cup All-Star Championship Team was named and presented with awards.  Those chosen were as follows:

Forwards

Matus Spodniak (F) – Ogden, Jacob Laurin (F) – Ogden, Jacob Kranabetter (F) – El Paso,

Chase Sare (F)  -El Paso, Roman Svik (F) Utah, Ryan Gill (F) – Long Beach, Ivan Bondarenko (F) – Oklahoma City, Casper Sjodin (F) – Idaho, Artem Korolev (F) – Long Beach

Defensmen

Austin Dittenhafer (D) – Ogden, Justin Dubecky (D) – El Paso, Terry Ryder (D) – Idaho,

 Goaltender - Kayden Pickles (G) - El Paso

 MVP – Nikita Pintusov

CONGRATULATIONS TO ALL

By Laura Cisneros