The Albert Lea Thunder was 3 minutes and 10 seconds away from its first victory Friday against Alexandria in Alexandria, but the Blizzard scored two goals in that span for a 5-4 win.

Alexandria’s Kyle Clement scored his second goal of the game in the third period on a power play goal that tied the game 4-4. Then Brandon Bahnemann scored his second goal of the game on a rebound shot with four seconds remaining in the game to give the Blizzard (8-4-1) the win. Both goals came on 5-on-3 power plays for Alexandria.

The Thunder (0-9-1) had taken a 4-2 lead in the second period as the team scored three goals.

“We were all over them in the second period,” Albert Lea head coach Brad Zangs said. “The second period is becoming our best period.”

Nikita Feaktistov tied the game at 2-2 for the Thunder with a goal assisted by Niko Kapetanovic and Mark Ellis at the 1:57 mark in the second period. Defenseman Robbie Vannelli added a power play goal on a pass from Danny Wood and the Thunder held a 3-2 lead, it’s first lead against an opponent this season. Wood hooked up with Mitch Torrell at the 18:21 mark in the second and Torrell put Albert Lea up 4-2 entering the third period.

The Blizzard pulled their goaltender after the second period as the Thunder had scored four goals on 16 shots. But once Alexandria’s starting goaltender entered the game Albert Lea was kept off the board in the third period. Blizzard goalie Ryan Leets made six stops in the final period.

It was stark contrast of the previous games between the Thunder and Blizzard. In two previous game Albert Lea had been outscored 14-4.

“This game they had no clue what hit them,” Zangs said.

Zangs said the game-tying goal Alexandria scored was controversial. The referee had blown the play dead after Thunder goalie Tom Lescovich made a save, but as Lescovich tried to get the puck loose from his glove to give to the referee, the puck went into the net.

Albert Lea was outshot 46-22, but Lescovich played well in goal for the Thunder, coming up with 41 saves.

“We should have won,” Zangs said.

Albert Lea played Bismarck Saturday at the City Arena.

SCORING SUMMARY

1st 2nd 3rd Total

Albert Lea – 1 3 0 4

Alexandria – 2 0 3 5

GOAL SCORING:

1st period: Albert Lea – Tom Glomski (Mitch Torrel, Tommy Robaczewski) 3:42

Alexandria – Brandon Bahnemann (unassisted) 9:39

2nd period: Albert Lea – Nikita Feaktistov (Mark Ellis, Niko Kapetanovic) 1:57

Albert Lea – Robbie Vannelli (power play) (Danny Wood) 14:53

Albert Lea – Mitch Torrel (Danny Wood) 18:21

3rd period: Alexandria – Kyle Clement (shorthanded) (Brandon Bahnemann) 9:57

Alexandria – Kyle Clement (power play) (Jerry Freismuth, Taylor Vichorek) 16:50

Alexandria – Brandon Bahnemann (power play) (Jerry Freismuth, Taylor Vichorek) 19:56

POWER-PLAY CONVERSION: Alexandria — 2 for 12, Albert Lea — 1 for 8

SHOTS ON GOAL: 1st 2nd 3rd

Albert Lea 9 7 6

Alexandria 18 14 14