MARSHALL &8212; The Albert Lea boys&8217; hockey team took a big step toward claiming the top seed in the upcoming section tournament Saturday with a a 4-3 victory over Marshall.

Marshall entered the game with just one section loss like Albert Lea, but the visitors used a three-goal second period to tie the game up at three before winning it in extra time.

The victory was the eighth in the last nine games for Albert Lea and 11th in the last 13.

Blake Adams scored Albert Lea&8217;s first goal in the second period with the assist going to Mark Walton. That was followed by a Casey Woodside tally with the helper going to Lucas Hanson.

The final regulation goal was put in the back of the net by Adam Royce unassisted. That goal tied the score at three heading into the third period.

With two assists in this game Walton now has 40 points on the season putting him sixth in points in the Big Nine. Royce, a defenseman, is second on the team with 33 points.

Albert Lea outshot Marshall (14-6) 32-22 for the game, but neither team could get anything past the goalie in the third.

However, the game would come to a quick end in overtime off the stick of Chris Dokken who ripped home the deciding goal &8212; his fourth of the year &8212; off assists from Walton and Royce.

The victory moved the Tigers to 15-6 on the season and 6-1 in the section. Albert Lea is tied with Mankato West for the top spot in the section after the two Big Nine foes split a pair of

meetings already this season. The Scarlets still have to play Marshall Saturday.

&8220;This puts us in good position to get the top spot in the section,&8221; Albert Lea head coach Roy Nystrom said.

Albert Lea is back in action Tuesday when it travels to Rochester to face Lourdes.