EL PASO, TEXAS–The Oklahoma Warriors opened up the 2024 Robertson Cup Playoffs with a 5-2 victory over the El Paso Rhinos on Friday night.
Geno McEnery scored two goals at the El Paso County Events Center for his first multi-goal game as a junior hockey player. Owen Carlile, William Ahlrik, and Drew Sutton also scored in one of the best road wins of the Warriors’ season.
Oklahoma struck once in the first and again late in the second to take a 2-0 lead. However, El Paso battled back to tie the game early in the third period. Just two minutes after the tying goal, William Ahlrik tapped in a Branko Vukas centering pass to regain the lead for the Warriors with 16:41 remaining. McEnery added an insurance goal with under three minutes to play, then Sutton hit an empty net to seal the victory.
Much like their solid stretch of play to end the regular season, the Warriors scored first, but showed great resolve when the Rhinos pushed back. Oklahoma answered early physical play from El Paso, too, and stayed out of the penalty box. Each team had only one power play in the game.
Daniel Duris made 25 saves on 27 shots in the win, his ninth career playoff victory.
The Warriors have a chance to clinch a spot in the South Division Semifinal with a win in game two on Saturday night. Puck drop is 8:00 p.m. CT from El Paso.