AUSTIN – A complete role-reversal caught the Austin boys’ hockey team off guard as the visiting Albert Lea Tigers took a 4-1 first-period lead and held on for a 5-3 Big Nine Conference win Tuesday night at Riverside Arena.

Wednesday, February 06, 2002

AUSTIN – A complete role-reversal caught the Austin boys’ hockey team off guard as the visiting Albert Lea Tigers took a 4-1 first-period lead and held on for a 5-3 Big Nine Conference win Tuesday night at Riverside Arena.

The Tigers scored three goals in the final four minutes of the first period to take advantage of an uninspired Austin squad, who despite the 4-1 lead did not fold in the final 30 minutes. The Packers, coming off what might have been a demoralizing 4-1 loss to Rochester Mayo Saturday night, scored goals in the second and third periods to put the pressure on their guests for the last five minutes.

Albert Lea (10-9, 8-5) fought off a late Packer rally to keep the tides turned on Austin. The Tigers scored three unanswered goals in their 4-3 overtime victory over Austin on Jan. 8, while a 4-1 first-period advantage was the obvious difference Tuesday night.

&uot;It was decided in the first period because we didn’t do anything after that,&uot; said Albert Lea coach Ron Nystrom. &uot;We did come off flying and we kind of steamrolled them in the first.&uot;

Matt Bracker scored twice in the first and assisted on Travis Miller’s power-play goal with two seconds left on the first period clock.

&uot;They had a lot of intensity in the first period,&uot; said Austin center Brandon Schaefer. &uot;You always figure they would. When you play Albert Lea it’s not going to be an easy game.&uot;

Both teams missed on quality scoring chances in the first two periods. James Erickson caught a perfect feed from Matt Petersen on a 3-on-3 rush, but whiffed on an open net.

After Bryan Schaefer’s goal brought Austin (12-8, 10-4) to within 4-2 midway through the second, the Packers failed to convert on a 5-on-3 opportunity late in the period. The Tiger defense, along with a strong performance from goalie Matt Tubbs, limited Austin to three shots in consecutive power-plays.

&uot;They started pretty good, but we came out flat,&uot; Brandon Schaefer said. &uot;We should have had at least one (goal) on that 5-on-3. When they give you an opportunity like that you have to take advantage of it. That was the difference in the game.&uot;