At this point, coach Mike Miller would like to see more consistency from the Albert Lea High School girls’ hockey team.

You can say this for the Tigers, though: When they turn it on, they really turn it on.

Trailing 2-1 late in the first period, the Tigers scored four times in a span of less than two minutes and went on to defeat Austin 7-3 in a Big Nine game at the City Arena Tuesday night.

Freshman Laura Hillman scored four of the Tigers’ first-period goals, including three in a row, and finished with five for the night. The fifth was her 33rd of the season and 100th of her career, giving her 137 career points.

&uot;Laura carried the team tonight,&uot; said Miller. &uot;I was happy to see her get that milestone. Our next closest girl has 99 total points, to kind of put that in perspective.&uot;

The Tigers improved their record to 8-2 in the Big Nine and 11-6 overall while Austin fell to 3-7 and 9-8, but the Packers controlled play early.

Austin took a 1-0 lead at the 5:07 mark.

The Tigers answered at 6:16 with Hillman’s first goal. Tessa Christensen and Frances O’Donnell assisted.

The Packers regained the lead at 8:15 and held it until 12:05, when Hillman and the Tigers caught fire.

Christensen scored at 12:05, assisted by Christine Tubbs, and Hillman scored at 13:11 on assists from Christensen and Tubbs. Hillman added unassisted scores at 14:27 and 14:58.

Austin scored the lone goal of the second period, outshooting the Tigers 5-4.

Hillman’s 100th goal came 2:57 into the third period, assisted by Sara Jensen and Heather Bagley. Christensen scored at 5:35, assisted by Hillman.

Danika Porter got the win in goal as Albert Lea outshot Austin 25-18. Austin had four penalties, Albert Lea two.

&uot;This game had so many highs and lows in it,&uot; said Miller. &uot;It would be nice to find a way to keep the light switch on. In order to beat good teams, we have to be more consistent. We had two good games in a row of good play, but tonight we could only find it in spurts. It was very difficult to get anything going.&uot;

The Tigers travel to Winona for a Big Nine game on Thursday.