Senior Madi Passingham had a goal and two assists Thursday as the Albert Lea girls’ hockey team skated to a 5-3 season-opening victory over Mankato East in Mankato.

Passingham scored the game’s opening goal at the 2:30 mark in the first period during a power play for the Tigers (1-0, 0-0 Big Nine).

Sophomore Natasha Moyer added two goals, one in the second period and another just 47 seconds into the third period to take a commanding 4-1 lead.

The 4-1 lead disappeared later in the period as the Cougars (0-1, 0-0 Big Nine) scored the next two goals of the game to make it 4-3.

But Albert Lea senior Lauren Klick iced the game with her goal at the 11:17 mark of the third period, just 25 seconds after Mankato East made it a one-goal game.

The Tigers outshot the Cougars 35 to 21.

Albert Lea will play Northfield Tuesday at the City Arena.

Albert Lea 5, Mankato East 3

Albert Lea 1 2 2 — 5

Mankato East 0 1 2 — 3

First Period—1, Albert Lea, Madi Passingham 1 (Sam Stanley), 2:30 (pp.).

Second Period—2, Albert Lea, Sophia Jepson 1 (unassisted), 1:05. 3, Albert Lea, Natasha Moyer 1 (Passingham, Sarah Savelkoul), 3:20.

4, Mankato East, Savannah Quandt 1 (Bobbi Sellner), 7:47.

Third Period—5, Albert Lea, Moyer 2 (unassisted), :47. 6, Mankato East, Quandt 2 (Rebecka Kolstad), 2:22. 7, Mankato East, Kolstad 1 (Quandt), 10:52. 8, Albert Lea, Lauren Klick 1 (Passingham), 11:17.

Shots on goal—Albert Lea 35. Mankato East 21.