LAKE DELTON, Wis. — The Rochester Ice Hawks played a couple of close games with the league-leading Dells Ducks over the weekend.
It's unfortunate, but that didn't result in any points for the Ice Hawks.
The Ducks completed a three-game sweep by knocking off the Ice Hawks 3-2 on Sunday. That followed Saturday's 9-3 Ducks' victory. Friday's game was another one-goal Ducks' win.
On Sunday, the Ducks got a couple of special teams goals that proved crucial.
Just 3:21 into the game, the Ducks scored a power-play tally after the Ice Hawks were penalized for too many men on the ice.
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The Ducks would score the game-winning goal in the third period short-handed.
After giving up the early power-play tally, the Ice Hawks came back to tie the game 3:04 into the second period.
Jarrett Urban lit the lamp, with Ludo Duncko and Justin Dungey earning the assists.
The Ducks reclaimed the lead briefly, but the Ice Hawks tied it again with a tally 13:28 into the second. This time it was Trey McMillen, scoring off a pass from Trevor Sabo. Josiah Habighorst also had an assist.
After taking a penalty early in the third, the Ducks broke loose for the short-handed game-winner.
Corey Grummick took the loss in goal, recording 42 saves. The Ducks held a 45-25 edge in shots on goal.
On Saturday night, the Ducks scored twice in the first and then blew the game open with a big third period. They outshot the Ice hawks 46-19.
Jacob Stima had a huge game for the Ducks, scoring three goals and adding four assists.
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Rochester did score twice in the second and trailed 4-2 going into the third. Tim LaFleur netted the first tally, and Rochester native Nick Paulson got the second to briefly tie it for the Ice Hawks.
The Ducks scored twice before the end of the second.
Griffen Buck made things interesting early in the third, cutting the Dells' lead to 4-3 with his tally at the 1:00 mark. But the Ducks scored the game's final five goals.
Brandan Alcorn took the loss in net, making 37 saves on 46 shots.
The Ice Hawks, who have dropped six straight, fall to 19-14-0-7. They return to action Friday in Isanti against the Minnesota Owls.
