The Rochester Ice Hawks picked up four points in the Minnesota Junior Hockey League standings with a pair of victories over the weekend.
On Saturday night, the Ice Hawks exploded for four first-period goals on their way to an easy 7-2 victory over the Hudson Crusaders at the Rochester Recreation Center.
Antonio Baccari scored twice, while Shaun Lymer and Derek Rahme added a goal apiece in the Ice Hawks' big first period.
Tyler Beasley, Rob Turner, Charles Gallagher, Chris Williford, goalie Karel Popper and Brandt Soukup added assists in the first 20 minutes.
The Ice Hawks added a pair of insurance goals in the second period to make it 6-0. Jake Zarzycki and T.J. Sneath had the tallies, while Williford (two) and Rahme earned the helpers.
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Zarzycki had the final Ice Hawks' tally on the power play in the third period. Beasley and Cody Barra picked up the assists.
The Ice Hawks finished with a 53-32 edge in shots on goal. Popper picked up the victory, stopping 30 Hudson shots.
On Sunday, the Ice Hawks hit the road to take on the Maple Grove Energy. It was rough sledding early, but the Ice Hawks pulled away with three goals in the second period and eventually rolled to an 8-2 victory.
Late in the first period, the Ice Hawks were tied 2-all with the winless Energy. But a late power-play goal by Rahme gave the Ice Hawks a lead heading into the second frame. In the second, the Ice Hawks ripped off three more tallies to pull away.
Gallagher started the Ice Hawks scoring six minutes into the game. He converted a pass from Beasley, with Nick Haase also picking up an assist.
Turner scored Rochester's second goal on the power play nine minutes later. Williford and Beasley had the assists.
Turner, Barra and Baccari all scored in the second. Baccary (two), Jake Sikkema, Beasley and Lymer earned assists.
Turner completed his hat trick in the third period, and then five minutes later scored his fourth goal. Beasley (two), Gallagher and Barra all had assists.
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Zak Kemble picked up the win in goal. He stopped 15 of 17 shots as the Ice Hawks held a whopping 65-17 edge in shots on goal.
With the weekend wins, the Ice Hawks improved to 16-4-0-1 in MnJHL play. They're currently in second place, five points behind the Twin Cities Northern Lights (19-3-0-0).
Rochester returns to action at 7:05 p.m. Friday at home against the league-leading Lights.
