There was twice as much at stake as usual for a Big Nine boys’ hockey game, and the Albert Lea Tigers played like it.

With four points on the line because they meet Mankato West only once this season, the Tigers dominated Mankato West from start to finish while winning 6-0 at the City Arena Thursday night.

&uot;My opinion tonight is this was probably our most solid hockey game of the season as far as the strategic part of the game is concerned,&uot; said coach Roy Nystrom. &uot;We forechecked with great vigor, we played very good position and we kept them bottled up in their end most of the night. It was a solid game in all aspects.&uot;

The goals, however, didn’t come easily in the early going.

Adam Wacholz put the Tigers up 1-0 just 3:08 into the game, assisted by Egan Mattson, but it was the only goal in the first period despite a 15-5 Albert Lea advantage in shots on goal.

Tony Dugstad made it 2-0 at 4:40 of the second, assisted by Casey Schumaker and Cory Ellertson. Wade Westland scored at 14:32, assisted by Mattson.

The Tigers again struck quickly in the third, with Garret Schultz and Josh Tubbs setting up Ellertson at the 2:14 mark. Jon Breuer scored on a rebound of a Josh Tubbs shot at 7:55 and Mattson added an unassisted score in the final minute.

Albert Lea outshot Mankato West 44-23. Matt Tubbs got the shutout in goal for the Tigers.

&uot;With four points on the line, it was very important to get this one, and our boys played hard,&uot; said Nystrom, whose team improved to 5-4 in the Big Nine and 9-8 overall. Mankato West fell to 3-4 and 5-10.

The Tigers are home again Saturday for a Big Nine game, facing Rochester John Marshall at 7 p.m.