Breakdown Magazine moved the Albert Lea boys’ hockey team into the top 15 in the Class A hockey poll Monday after the Tigers defeated No. 11 Hibbing.

The Tigers (9-3-0) entered at No. 15 in the poll for the first time since last season.

Albert Lea head coach Roy Nystrom was pleased with being included in the rankings, but wasn’t going to relish the moment.

“The only ranking that’s important is the one at the end of the year,” Nystrom said.

The Tigers’ top line of Tyler Prihoda (13 G, 10 A), Jordan Prescher-Smerud (10 G, 13 A) and Grant Stadheim (7 G, 12 A) got back to playing solid hockey this past weekend. Prihoda scored twice against Hibbing and Prescher-Smerud assisted on his second goal. Prihoda also had the lone goal for Albert Lea in a 3-1 loss to Virginia.

Prihoda has been a monster on the ice lately, scoring a goal in the past four games and nine points.

“Prihoda has been a real offensive threat,” Nystrom said. “I think he’s had at least 3, 4, 5 breakaways in the last three, four games. He’s getting himself in position, to where he’s a real threat up the ice. He’s going to keep the defense on their heels the whole night.”

It’s not so much his speed that makes Prihoda dangerous, Nystrom said, but rather his anticipation and getting himself in good position for scoring opportunities.

The Tigers begin a tough stretch of games Tuesday with Mankato West. Albert Lea travels to Mayo Thursday and finishes with No. 14 ranked Red Wing at home.

The Tigers defeated the Scarlets (7-2-2) 5-3 Dec. 5 in the second game of the season, but this is the meeting that counts toward conference standings.

That game saw the two teams take a total of 20 penalties and Nystrom expects it to be a physical game once again.

“I’m kind of looking for a real hard fought game with them,” Nystrom said.

The Dec. 5 game was back and forth, but Albert Lea gained control in the second period with two goals to take a 2-1 lead. Nick Jose tied the game at 2-2 in the third, but Mitchell Sorenson gave the Tigers the lead again 34 seconds after Jose’s goal for a 3-2 lead.

Andrew Bruggeman tied the game four minutes later, but Tyler Brackey scored a power play goal to give Albert Lea the win.

The Tigers will have to try to limit Bruggeman Tuesday as he has 20 goals and 10 assists in 11 games this season. Bruggeman ranks 14th in the state in points. His 20 goals are tied for fourth most in the state.