The Rochester Ice Hawks scored a huge overtime win Saturday night on their home ice at the Rochester Recreation Center.
The Ice Hawks welcomed the Minnesota Junior Hockey League-leading Twin Cities Northern Lights to town. And the Ice Hawks earned two points, knocking off the Lights 2-1 in overtime.
The Northern Lights scored the game's first goal, 12:25 into the opening period.
But the Ice Hawks came back to tie it in the second. Brent Kallio scored 13:27 into the period, with assists going to Drew Carlson and Chris Williford.
The teams were scoreless in the third period. But in overtime, the Ice Hawks needed just 36 seconds to settle it.
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Jake Zarzycki played the hero's role, scoring the game winner in the extra session. He finished off passes from Kenny Tencza and Tanner Hawes.
Zarzycki's goal came on the first shot of overtime.
The Ice Hawks were outshot 31-24, including 13-3 in the third period.
Derek Moser picked up the win for Rochester. He stopped 30 of 31 shots.
It was a big win for the Ice Hawks, who bounced back after falling 6-5 in a shootout Friday night against the Edina Lakers.
After a lackluster first period, the Ice Hawks exploded for four goals in the second and led 5-3 heading into the third. But the Lakers scored twice in the third to force overtime.
Neither team scored in the extra session, so the game went to a shootout and the Lakers came out on top.
Williford had a big game for the Ice Hawks. He finished with three points, including two goals and an assist. Tencza also had three points on a goal and two assists.
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Kallio added a goal and an assist.
Erik Johnson suffered the loss in goal. He recorded 29 saves on 35 shots.
The Ice Hawks are now 3-1-0-1 in MnJHL play. They return to action this week at the MnJHL showcase in Pleasant Prairie, Wis. The Ice Hawks open showcase play at 12:30 p.m. Thursday against the Illiana Blackbirds of Indiana.
