All season long, coach Roy Nystrom has talked about the work ethic of the Albert Lea High School boys’ hockey team.

Monday, February 25, 2002

All season long, coach Roy Nystrom has talked about the work ethic of the Albert Lea High School boys’ hockey team.

It was very much evident in the third period Saturday. And it kept their season alive.

The Tigers rallied for two goals in the final 5:51 of regulation to subdue Northfield 4-3 in a Section 1A tournament game at the Albert Lea City Arena.

The victory improved the Tigers to 14-10 and advanced them to the East Division title game at 8:15 p.m. Tuesday at Gustavus Adolphus College in St. Peter. There, they’ll face top-seeded and No. 1 ranked Rochester Lourdes. The winner plays at 7:30 Thursday for the section title and state tournament berth.

Nystrom knows the Tigers have their work cut out for them Tuesday but said anything can happen in a one-game situation.

&uot;These guys weren’t supposed to win this many games,&uot; said Nystrom. &uot;They beat teams they weren’t supposed to beat. With the heart and desire this team has shown, nothing would surprise me.&uot;

Adam Boelter started and finished the Tigers’ scoring on Saturday, netting the gamewinner with 4:57 left. That was after Egan Mattson knotted it with a power-play goal at 9:09. Tony Dugstad had the other Albert Lea goal. Matt Madsen, Casey Schumaker, Dugstad and Josh Tubbs had assists. Matt Tubbs was in goal, with shots on goal 20-20. Both teams took four penalties.