Coach Mike Miller was expecting the toughest game of the season so far for the Albert Lea High School girls’ hockey team.

And he was right.

The Tigers traveled to face Eagan in a nonconference game Thursday and lost 5-1.

It was closer than the score indicates, according to Miller, who was encouraged at his team’s play despite the loss.

&uot;They scored two goals in the first eight minutes,&uot; said Miller. &uot;Then it was 0-0 hockey until the third period. We came out and had to pick up our level. This is a team we can play with. We had five or six excellent chances to put the puck in the net.&uot;

The Wildcats scored just eight seconds into it, making it 2-0 at the 10:23 mark.

It remained 2-0 until 2:21 of the third, when Eagan scored just after the Tigers finished killing a penalty. Eagan’s other goals came at 7:03 and 12:31.

The Tigers scored at the 9:54 mark, on a 5-on-3 advantage, with Amy Leach getting the goal on an assist from Laura Hillman.

Albert Lea was outshot 31-14. Eagan had eight penalties to the Tigers’ five.

Miller said Eagan is the best team the Tigers have faced and much more balanced than defending Big Nine champion Owatonna.

&uot;Owatonna has a player,&uot; said Miller. &uot;Eagan has a good team.&uot;

And, according to Miller, the Tigers are narrowing the gap between themselves and teams like Eagan.

&uot;The difference between us and the Cities teams right now is just a little bit,&uot; said Miller. &uot;They move the puck just a little quicker, they force check just a little quicker. The more teams we play like this, the more we’re going to play like that.&uot;

The Albert Lea junior varsity lost 7-1 after allowing six first-period goals. Brittney Beener scored for Albert Lea. The JV ran its record to 3-5.

The Tigers, 6-3 overall and 4-1 in the Big Nine, travel to Faribault for a conference game on Tuesday.