The Rochester Ice Hawks were the better birds on Friday.
That's the way it's been all season when they've faced the Minnesota Owls.
Rochester peppered a pair of Owls goalies all night in Game 1 of a Minnesota Junior Hockey League first-round playoff series and came away with a 5-2 victory at the Rochester Recreation Center.
Justyn Sweet scored twice in the first period and the Ice Hawks outshot the Owls 63-19 and built a 5-0 lead before the Owls got on the board.
Game 2 of their playoff series is set for 7:30 p.m. tonight in Isanti. If the Owls win, a Game 3 will be played at 5:30 p.m. Sunday at the Rec Center.
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That seems unlikely after the way Rochester has dominated Minnesota this season. The Ice Hawks have won all seven meetings with the Owls this year, and the Owls have won just once against someone other than the last-place Ironwood Yoopers.
Jamie Blair, Marcus Stoulil and Luke Meade also scored for the Hawks on Friday. Dan Tregeser and Trey McMillen had two assists each.
Sam Nelson stopped 17 of the 19 shots he faced to get the victory in goal for Rochester.
One win by the Ice Hawks this weekend will put them in the division semifinals, likely against the Hudson Crusaders.
For more on Game 1 of the playoff series, see Page D5.
