The showdown didn’t last long.

The Rochester John Marshall Rockets decided it early.

Visiting JM scored three goals in the opening 3:24 and four in the first period to defeat Albert Lea 5-2 Thursday night in a meeting of Big Nine girls’ hockey powers at the City Arena.

&uot;It was a disappointing loss tonight,&uot; said Tigers coach Mike Miller. &uot;I expected us to play better than we did.&uot;

The Rockets, buoyed by the transfer of star center Jodi Holland from Winona, outshot the Tigers 15-5 in the first period and 28-16 overall, improving their record to 7-0 in the Big Nine and 7-4 overall. The Tigers fell to 5-2 and 7-4.

Holland, a freshman, scored the first goal at 1:17, adding goals at 3:11 and 11:22 of the first. Amy Fordham, a sophomore wing, scored at 3:24.

After a scoreless second period, in which JM outshot Albert Lea 8-2, Brittany Arendt put the Tigers on the board with an unassisted goal 39 seconds into the third. She scored unassisted again at 8:24. Freshman Lindsey French scored for the Rockets at 13:45.

The Tigers took four penalties to the Rockets’ three.

&uot;JM came out and played intense, they played physical, they played like they wanted to win,&uot; said Miller. &uot;Giving up three goals in the first three minutes, you’re not going to win many games putting yourself in that big of a hole.&uot;

The Tigers are off until next Thursday, when they host Rochester Mayo.