MASON CITY, Iowa &045; The Albert Lea Blades were expecting more of a challenge in their 2002-03 season opener at Mason City.

Instead, they got a blowout.

Albert Lea’s amateur hockey team skated to an easy 9-0 triumph at Mason City Saturday night. The locals outshot the home team 50-12.

Mike Nelson’s hat trick led Albert Lea. Travis Brua and Justin Bolinger scored two goals apiece. Don Savelkoul and Jeremy Hendrickson each netted one goal. Jason Fornwald was in goal, registering the shutout.

Fornwald, the team’s general manager, said the Blades got good contributions from several new additions to the team.

&uot;The new boys already paid dividends,&uot; said Fornwald. &uot;They played a very strong game.&uot;

New players include Chris Lehman, Nick Kruse, Levi Hendrickson and Jason Ferrington.

&uot;Mason City was a bit shorthanded, like they were last year when we played them,&uot; said Fornwald. &uot;They had nine skaters to our 12, but they seemed to be having an off night nonetheless. It was nice to get back on the ice. Now we should start having games pretty much every weekend.&uot;

The Blades are home Saturday to meet Austin at 7:30 p.m. at the City Arena, and Fornwald expects an exciting contest with Albert Lea’s arch rival, which beat the locals in a summer tournament.

&uot;It should be a good game,&uot; said Fornwald. &uot;We would like to get some revenge from our loss to them in our summer tournament final.&uot;