The Albert Lea Thunder lost a two-goal lead Friday against Owatonna in the second period to lose 3-2 in Owatonna at the Four Seasons Centre.

The Thunder (1-15-1) got the board in the first period when forward John Affolter slipped the puck five-hole past Express goalie Jason Horstman on a backhand at 13:40.

Albert Lea added another goal in the second period when Jake Armijo crashed the net on a Dusan Kobela shot from the point on the power play and the Thunder had a 2-0 lead at the 7:10 mark in the second period.

Owatonna game back in a hurry, delivering three goals in a five minute span to take a 3-2 lead.

“We just need to learn how to bury a team when we have a lead on them,” Albert Lea forward Niko Kapetanovic said.

Tom Lescovich made 24 stops on 27 shots for the Thunder in the loss.

The quick lead for Albert Lea was far different from the last time the two teams met. Owatonna skated to a 6-2 win with three first period goals.

The two teams squared off again Saturday night in Owatonna.

1st 2nd 3rd Total

Albert Lea — 1 1 0 2

Owatonna — 0 3 0 3

GOAL SCORING:

1st period: Albert Lea – John Affolter (Ryan Johnson, Robbie Vannelli) 13:40

2nd period: Albert Lea – Jake Armijo (power play) (John Affolter, Dusan Kobela) 7:10

Owatonna – Chris Darnell (shorthanded) (unassisted) 15:26

Owatonna – Stephen Carew (Dmitry Lugin) 16:42

Owatonna – Nick Carson (powerplay) (Chris Darnell, Tim Smith) 19:59

3rd period: no scoring

POWER PLAY CONVERSION: Albert Lea — 1 for 8, Owatonna — 1 for 8

SHOTS ON GOAL: 1st 2nd 3rd Total

Albert Lea 7 5 9 21

Owatonna 9 15 3 27