Albert Lea ran into the two-time defending Rochester Kiwanis Hockey Festival champion in the first round and it looked like International Falls won’t be derailed in its attempt to win a third championship.

The Broncos (5-4), ranked 15th in the latest poll, pounded the Tigers boys’ hockey team 6-1 in Albert Lea’s opening game of the tournament.

Dominic Casareto scored three times in the first period to open up a 3-0 lead.

The Tigers (3-4) didn’t score until the second period when Eric Carlson’s goal temporarily cut the Broncos’ lead to 4-1. But International Falls added two more goals in the period and outshot Albert Lea by nearly a 2-to-1 margin.

The Tigers play Tuesday at 2:15 p.m.

International Falls 6, Albert Lea 1

International Falls 3 3 0 — 6

Albert Lea 0 1 0 — 1