HUDSON, Wis. — The Rochester Ice Hawks completed another weekend sweep on Sunday and will enter the holiday break riding an eight-game winning streak.
The Ice Hawks scored four first-period goals Sunday and rolled to a 9-4 victory over the Hudson Crusaders in Minnesota Junior Hockey League action.
"The kids are playing well," Ice Hawks coach Nick Fatis said. "It was good to see us jump on them right away in the first period and put four goals on the board.
"Everyone is excited to be getting a little time off and to spend some time with their families over the break."
The Ice Hawks are now off until Dec. 31. They'll host their annual New Year's Eve game at 7:05 p.m. at the Rochester Recreation Center against the rival Minnesota Owls.
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"We always love that New Year's Eve game; it's a nice entertainment option for the whole family," Fatis said.
Brett Menton opened the Ice Hawks scoring 2:15 into the first period. C.J. Clark and Antonio Baccari earned the assists.
Tyler Beasley made it 2-0 at the 4:20 mark, finishing off passes from Shaun Lymer and Justin Dungey.
Nick Gorino scored a short time later, and Baccari made it 4-0 just 7:18 into the opening period. Derek Rahme, Jake Zarzycki and Beasley all had assists.
The Ice Hawks made it 5-0 in the second when defenseman Brock Stahlke converted passes from Nick Gorino and Zarzycki.
Hudson scored the next two goals, but the Ice Hawks finished the period with another tally, this time from Rob Turner. Captain Charles Gallagher picked up the assist.
T.J. Sneath, Jake Sikkema and Turner all added third-period goals to cap the Ice Hawks scoring. Turner's goal came on the power play.
Sikkema, Nick Haase, Menton, Andrew Sherwood, Beasley and Stahlke all had assists in the third.
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Karel Popper earned the win in goal. He finished with 20 saves on 25 shots.
The Ice Hawks, who improved to 24-5-0-1 in MnJHL play, outshot the Crusaders 51-25.
