The Albert Lea Thunder wound up on the wrong end of a one-goal game once again Friday against Owatonna at the Four Seasons Centre.

The Thunder (2-27-4) lost 3-2 for its 14th one-goal loss of the season, despite outshooting the Express (17-15-1) 36-30.

“The whole game for both teams was unbelievable,” said Albert Lea head coach Brad Zangs. “They came out flying and we kind of regrouped. It was an up and down game.”

The Thunder had plenty of opportunities to put the game away as the team had 17 power play opportunities, including a six-minute power play. Albert Lea took two penalties during the six-minute power play to nullify the opportunity.

“It was a game we could have easily won,” Zangs said. “We felt we had 20 some odd chances.”

It was the fifth one-goal game between the two teams.

Owatonna got on the board 9 minutes, 11 seconds in the first period when Stephen Carew buried a chance in front of the net off a feed from Zach Vierling.

Carew struck again in the second period at 1:56 to give the Express a 2-0 lead. Dmitry Lugin scored the eventual game-winner at 5:51 in the second period.

While Albert Lea had 36 shots in the game, Zangs said Express goaltender Jason Horstman was the difference.

“We played very good hockey, but their goaltender stood on his head,” Zangs said.

Niko Kapetanovic scored 13 seconds in the third period on the power play and Danny Wood added a power play goal with 45 seconds to play.

“We need to start burying our chances,” Zangs said. “We’re getting great chances.”

Owatonna racked up 59 penalty minutes in the game, which included two game misconducts. Although Albert Lea had 17 power play opportunities, Zangs said many were abbreviated and the Thunder had closer to nine legitimate power plays.

The Express and Albert Lea will meet again Friday at the City Arena.

Owatonna 3, Albert Lea 2

Albert Lea 0 0 2 — 2

Owatonna 1 2 0 — 3

First period— 1. Owatonna, Stephen Carew, (Zach Vierling), 9:11.

Penalties— Jacob Sloat, Owa (Holding), 2:26; Ryan Johnson, Alb

(Tripping), 9:51; Zach Tolkinen, Owa (Holding), 14:45; Joe Beaudette,

Owa (Cross Checking), 17:37.

Second period— 2. Owatonna, Stephen Carew, (Jacob Sloat, Zach

Vierling), 1:56. 3. Owatonna, Dmitry Lugin, (Dylan Porter, Michael Palmisno)5:51. Penalties— Niko Kapetanovic, Alb (Board Checking),

0:19; Tony McDonald, Owa (Tripping), 0:25; Tim Smith, Owa (Slashing),

6:42; Mitch Torrel, Alb (Holding), 7:36; Stephen Carew, Owa

(Interference), 8:37; Chris Bournazos, Owa (Hooking), 12:05; Nick

Carson, Owa (Roughing), 16:48; Michael Palmiscno, Owa (Fighting

Major), 16:48; Michael Palmiscno, Owa (Fighting Game Misconduct),

16:48; Jake Armijo, Alb (Interference), 16:48; Jake Armijo, Alb

(Roughing), 16:48; Nikita Feoktistov, Alb (Fighting Major), 16:48;

Nikita Feoktistov, Alb (Fighting Game Misconduct), 16:48; Zach

Tolkinen, Owa (Cross Checking), 19:38.

Third period— 4. Albert Lea, Niko Kapetanovic, (Tom Glomski, Mitch

Torrel), :13 (pp.). 5. Albert Lea, Danny Wood, (Josh Botimer), 19:15

(pp.). Penalties— David Kurbatsky, Owa (Hooking), 1:43; David

Kurbatsky, Owa (Checking from Behind Double Minor), 1:43; David

Kurbatsky, Owa (Checking from Behind Game Ejection), 1:43; B.J.

McClellan, Alb (Tripping), 3:58; Jake Armijo, Alb (Hooking), 5:02;

Troy Puente, Alb (Interference), 9:28; Jacob Sloat, Owa (Slashing),

11:27; Niko Kapetanovic, Alb (Holding), 13:28; Dane Erickson, Owa

(Roughing), 17:20; Matt Sempeck, Alb (Roughing), 17:20; Chris

Bournazos, Owa (Tripping), 17:55; Chris Bournazos, Owa (Cross

Checking), 17:59.

Shots on Goal: Albert Lea 14-9-13 — 36; Owatonna 10-13-7 — 30

Power-play Opportunities — Albert Lea 2 of 12; Owatonna 0 of 6.

Goalies — Albert Lea, Lescovich 2-15-3 (30 shots-27 saves). Owatonna,

Horstman 9-7-0 (36 shots-34 saves)

A — 503. T — 2:28.