Coach Roy Nystrom could have sat around all night and analyzed the Section 1A opener for the Albert Lea boys’ hockey team, but he didn’t.

Friday, February 22, 2002

Coach Roy Nystrom could have sat around all night and analyzed the Section 1A opener for the Albert Lea boys’ hockey team, but he didn’t. Instead he summed it up concisely.

&uot;You win and you go on, that’s the bottom line,&uot; said Nystrom. &uot;If you lose, you’re done.&uot;

The Tigers are still going after Thursday night’s 4-2 triumph over Mankato West at the City Arena. The Tigers, 13-10 and seeded second among seven teams in the East Division of the section, earned another home matchup Saturday at 1 p.m. against the winner of Thursday’s game between third-seeded Northfield and No. 6 St. Peter/LeSueur-Henderson.

Nystrom did say the Tigers need to improve their efficiency as the playoffs progress.

&uot;No question, we’re going to have to play a little smarter as we go in the playoffs,&uot; said Nystrom. &uot;Because wherever we go from here, it’s going to be tougher.&uot;

And Nystrom wants the Tigers’ surprisingly successful season to continue.

&uot;We’re looking forward to Saturday,&uot; he said. &uot;We’d like to keep this thing going. It’s a lot of fun. The kids have had just a great year, and I don’t want to see it end.&uot;

The Tigers came out flying at the start Thursday, scoring 4:30 into it on a power-play goal by Travis Miller. Casey Schumaker assisted.

About two minutes later Egan Mattson made it 2-0 on a shot from just outside the faceoff circle. Miller got the assist.

The Scarlets capitalized on a defensive lapse and, at the 10:56 mark, Trevor McCormick scored on a breakaway.

Jamie Erickson gave the Tigers just what they needed to open the second period – a quick goal. The apparent centering pass hit traffic and went in the net. Josh Tubbs got an assist.

It remained 3-1 until 5:13 of the third, when West’s Taylor Wallace scored on an assist from Aaron Beahm.

Albert Lea finally netted an insurance goal at the 11:45 mark. Adam Boelter scored it, Matt Dugstad assisted.

Matt Tubbs was again in the net for ALHS, which outshot West 34-23. Senior Derek Cramblit was in the nets for the Scarlets. Albert Lea had three penalties, Mankato West four.

If the Tigers win Saturday, they’ll play in the section semifinals Tuesday at 8:15 p.m. at Gustavus Adolphus College in St. Peter. The finals are Thursday at Gustavus.