Hockey / Ice Hawks split weekend set

Ice Hawks split weekend set

Date:  Source: NA3HL: Rochester Ice Hawks

The Rochester Ice Hawks completed a sweep of the Chicago Bulldogs with a 9-1 win Saturday at the Rochester Recreation Center, but the Ice Hawks ended the weekend with a shootout loss on the road at the La Crosse Freeze on Sunday.

Saturday's game was tight through one period, but the Ice Hawks pulled away with three goals in the second and turned it into a blowout in the third with four more goals.

Trey McMillen had a huge game, scoring three goals and adding an assist. Dominik Bogdzuil had a goal and two assists, and Ian Smyth and Nick Paulson added three assists each. Hunter Heightland had two assists, while Dawson Quint and Garrett Strom had one goal and one assist each. Rochester natives Griffen Buck and Justin Sweet also scored for the Ice Hawks.

Kyle Plantz earned the victory in goal, stopping 23 of 24 shots.

On Sunday, neither team found the back of the net in regulation. The Freeze and Ice Hawks skated to a scoreless tie after 60 minutes, and the trend continued through overtime.

In the shootout, the teams both missed their first two attempts, but Daniel Toycen got the game-winner on the third and final attempt for the Freeze.

Rochester goalie Zach Mains was incredible throughout, keeping the Ice Hawks in the game. Mains finished with an incredible 51-save shutout.

The Ice Hawks managed just 27 shots on goal.

Rochester dropped to 9-19-1 and remains in fourth place in the North American Tier 3 Hockey League's Central Division. La Crosse improved to 21-8.

The Ice Hawks return to action Friday on the road at Alexandria. They return home for a game against Alexendria at 7:05 p.m. Saturday.