The Albert Lea Jr. Gold hockey team earned first place at a recent invitational hockey tournament held in Rochester.

The Jr. Gold hockey team showed perseverance and determination in all three games played to earn the top honors.

Albert Lea dominated Centennial in the first game of the tournament scoring three of its five goals in the first period. The last two goals scored by Albert Lea were shorthanded. Nick Boncimino saved 16 shots in net for the 5-0 shutout against Centennial.

Rochester was Albert Lea&8217;s next opponent in tournament action and the two teams were evenly matched as the score reflected throughout the game.

Rochester would start the scoring out but Albert Lea would soon answer with a shorthanded goal by Danny Hayes.

Rochester would return two seconds later with their second goal of the game to end first period on top. Albert Lea would score at 5:52 in the second period by Alex Sheetz with assists from Jake Hamberg and Chris Karge to tie the game, but again Rochester would take the lead by scoring another goal at 2:53. Zach Roberts would then tie the game with a goal assisted by Dennis Lau to end the second period 3-3.

The third period would be just as tight as the first two as Rochester would score two goals early to take lead, but Albert Lea would not give up as Phil Schultz would score at 7:29 and at 5:28 Roberts would put the puck in net on a power play to send the game into overtime, and Hayes would put the locals on top with the overtime goal to send the team to the championship match.

Inver Grove Heights would be the challenger for the locals in the championship match. Albert Lea would start the scoring off 53 seconds into the game and no other goals would be scored until 13:35 in second period from Roberts.

The third period would be the heated scoring period as two goals would be scored by Inver Grove Heights to tie the game but Albert Lea&8217;s determination would bring them out on top as two more goals would bring home the first place hardware for the local team.

Albert Lea Jr. Gold is coached by Jerome Anderson assisted by Mark Goskeson and Klint Anderson. The Jr. Gold Icemen will next play at home this weekend hosting Woodbury Saturday 6:15 p.m. and Eagan Sunday at 6:30 p.m. at City Arena.