MANKATO – Their Big Nine title hopes may be gone, but there’s still some excitement left for the Albert Lea High School boys’ hockey team.

Friday, February 08, 2002

MANKATO – Their Big Nine title hopes may be gone, but there’s still some excitement left for the Albert Lea High School boys’ hockey team.

Only two regular-season games remain before the Section 1A tournament. And the Tigers are playing well.

The ALHS boys dominated at Mankato East Thursday night, winning 8-1.

&uot;We played real well tonight,&uot; said ALHS coach Roy Nystrom, whose squad improved to 11-9 overall and 9-5 in the Big Nine. &uot;All three lines scored, our defense played pretty solid and we had good goaltending.&uot;

The scoring came early and often.

Egan Mattson started it on an assist from Peter Hillman. Then came an unassisted goal by Adam Boelter. Then Matt Dugstad scored the first of his three goals, assisted by Matt Petersen. An unassisted goal by Dugstad left the Tigers on top 4-1 at the end of the first period.

Matt Bracker scored the only goal in the second period – the first of three in a row for him – assisted by Mattson.

Hillman and Mattson had assists on Bracker’s first goal of the third period. Matt Madsen assisted on the second. Tony Dugstad made it 7-1 on an assist from Josh Tubbs. Matt Dugstad’s hat-trick goal was unassisted.

Matt Tubbs was in goal for the Tigers, who drew seven penalties to six for the Cougars. Nystrom estimated the shots on goal at 30-15 favoring the Tigers.

&uot;The kids are gelling at the right time,&uot; said Nystrom. &uot;The playoffs are right around the corner and we’re playing some good hockey right now. It’s nice to see, because this team really works hard.&uot;

The Tigers host Rochester Century Tuesday and finish the regular season at home next Thursday against Winona.