Albert Lea Squirt “A Blue” sponsored by Aurora Dental, placed second in the Austin Packer Classic Tournament December 16-18.

Albert Lea played Austin in the first game winning 4-3. Scoring for Albert Lea, Soren Colstrup assisted by Josh Schwarz, the second goal was recorded by Wyatt Olson assisted by Colstrup.

The third tally went to Lucas Peterson assisted by Colstrup and the final goal was by Larry Olson assisted by Adam Herbst.

Brayden Trail played in goal stopping 13 shots, Albert Lea had 25 shots against Austin.

In the second game Albert Lea faced a tough Rochester team coached by former NHL player Doug Zmolek.

Albert Lea would give up the first goal at 10:06 but came right back as Colstrup caught a long pass from Herbst to go in on goal alone and score. Forty seconds later, Olson went in on goal and was tripped up, however, with his feet in the air he still managed to bat the puck into the net, Seth Kilian-Bock had the assist. Less than a minute later Jonathan Fleek would get a nice goal on a assist from Lucas Peterson. Rochester scored at the end of the first to make it a one goal game.

There was no scoring in the second period as both goalies were tough. Albert Lea held its one goal lead until Rochester scored with 34 seconds left in the game to tie it up.

Albert Lea called a timeout to settle things down and with 13 seconds left Colstrup caught a pass out in front of the net from Lucas Peterson to give the Albert Lea team the winning goal. The score was 4-3.

Shots on goal were 22 for Albert Lea and 16 for Rochester.

“Garret Matz played a tremendous game in net and played a big part in us winning that game. That was a huge win and I don’t believe Albert Lea has ever beaten Rochester at the Squirt A level,&8221; Albert Lea head coach Tim Colstrup said. &8220;We’re so proud of the way these kids played, they never gave up they are real competitors.”

Albert Lea faced a tough Crow River team in the championship game and lost 9-1.

Lucas Peterson had the goal for Albert Lea.

Bo Aasheim-Sorenson, Garret Avery, Jared Olson and Derik Weigel played very well defensively all weekend. The Aurora Dental Squirt A team has won five of its last six games and their next opponent is St. Peter in Albert Lea at 6 p.m. on Dec. 29.