photo by Nick Gerhardt

Albert Lea’s Tyler Prihoda and Blake Adams celebrate after Prihoda scored the first goal of the game Saturday. Prihoda later added another goal as the Tigers won 4-1.

Tigers knock off Hibbing 4-1

Staff

Published Monday, January 12, 2009

The forecheck for the Albert Lea boys’ hockey team was at its finest Saturday as the Tigers handed Hibbing a 4-1 defeat at the City Arena.

Albert Lea (9-3-0) played physically throughout the game and that aggressiveness led to good things as the Tigers turned in arguably their best game of the season.

Mike Falk scored the opening goal of the game courtesy of a strong forecheck from linemate Mitchell Sorenson. Sorensen found Falk at the post from behind the net and Falk buried his point blank shot to give Albert Lea a 1-0 lead 15 minutes, 5 seconds into the first period.

“That was a tough goal,” Falk said. “I credit my linemates completely. They worked hard down low and I was just posted up on the side of the net. Good things happen when you work hard.”

The Tigers worked hard throughout the game and played three complete periods, something they failed to do Friday night against Virginia in a 3-1 loss.

Albert Lea head coach Roy Nystrom was leery of another second period breakdown Saturday and reminded his team of Friday’s game after the first period.

“I told them, ‘You remember what happened last night, after playing a good first period then the second period we just completely went into the box,’” Nystrom said. “We just made sure that we played hard the entire game.”

The win was a big confidence boost for a team in need of some as it enters a difficult stretch of games next week that includes Mankato West, Mayo, and Red Wing.

“It’s a big win for us,” Nystrom said. “I think it’s a big win for us in the respect that it I think our kids now realize that they can play like the old Albert Lea teams of the past.”

Tyler Prihoda scored the eventual game-winner 1:20 into the second period when he ripped a shot from the top of the right circle during a power play to give Albert Lea a 2-0 lead.

Prihoda struck again two minutes later when he fired a shot from the left circle that found the back of the net for his 13th goal of the season.

The Blue Jackets (8-5-1) responded with a goal at 9:08 of the second period, but that would be it as the Tigers continued to play strongly and avoided staying out of the penalty box.

Mason Tuohy added a pretty wraparound goal at 11:21 of the third period to give each Albert Lea line a goal in the game.

“We had a stellar forecheck tonight and that really paid off for us,” Falk said. “We shut down their big guns and we took advantage when we had the chances.”

The Tigers and Hibbing each had 21 shots in the game, but Albert Lea made the most of its chances Saturday after failing to do so Friday against Virginia.

“For what we didn’t get last night, we certainly got it tonight,” Nystrom said. “We’re just going to continue on, hopefully.”

The Tigers will face Mankato West Tuesday at the City Arena before traveling to Rochester Thursday for their first game against Mayo.

“We’ve got a big week ahead of us and it’s always nice to beat a top team and have a little confidence going into a big Big Nine stretch like we got now,” Falk said.

Albert Lea 4, Hibbing 1

Hibbing 0 1 0 – 1

Albert Lea 1 2 1 – 4

First period— 1. Albert Lea, Mike Falk, (Mitchell Sorenson, Tyler Brackey), 15:05. Penalties—Aaron Wagner, H (holding), 1:50; Taylor Draayer, AL (roughing), 15:23; Ryan Olds, H (roughing), 15:23.

Second period—2. Albert Lea, Tyler Prihoda, (Casey Marka, Blake Adams), 1:20 (pp.). 3. Albert Lea—Prihoda, (Prescher-Smerud), 3:39. 4. Hibbing, Aaron Jamnick (Ryan Johnson), 9:08. Penalties— Spencer Peratelo, H (unsportsmanlike conduct), :25; Prescher-Smerud, AL (roughing), :42; Olds, H (roughing), :56; Dillon Stolt, AL (holding), 2:39; Drew Vechell, H (interference), 2:39; Tyler Haaland, AL (holding), 5:33; Olds, H (roughing), 12:47; Brackey, AL (roughing), 12:47; Adams, AL (tripping) 15:42.

Third period— 5. Albert Lea, Mason Tuohy (unassisted), 11:21. Penalties—Sorenson, AL (holding), 12:52.

Shots on Goal: Hibbing 6-9-6 – 21; Albert Lea 7-7-7 – 21

Power-play opportunities— Hibbing 0 of 4; Albert Lea 1 of 3.

Goalies—Hibbing, Nathan Tromp (21 shots, 18 saves); Albert Lea, John Wrolson (21 shots, 20 saves)

---

WOULD YOU LIKE TO SHARE THIS STORY?

---