Despite a four-goal second period Friday against North Iowa the Albert Lea Thunder fell 5-4 in Mason City.

Connor Gaarder scored with 1:55 to play in the game to lift the Outlaws past the Thunder.

The Outlaws (12-10-2) scored three goals in the final two minutes and were able to hold off Albert Lea (5-18-2) just when it looked like the team might take the lead.

Brian Nehring’s shorthanded goal in the second period tied the game at 2, but 21 seconds later with North Iowa still on the power play Cory Bellsle scored to give the Outlaws a 3-2 advantage.

Bryan Mitchell tied the game again at 19:39 in the second, but North Iowa found one more late goal for the victory.

“We came out of the period and still gave up two goals that we shouldn’t,” said Albert Lea head coach Chuck Linkenheld.

Linkenheld said the Thunder played a too loose defensively and gave the Outlaws too many chances.

Zach May and Chris Cass scored in the second period to tie the game after Tyler Klein scored a pair of goals in the first period for North Iowa.

Albert Lea outshot the Outlaws 35 to 27.

The two teams met Saturday in Albert Lea at the City Arena.

North Iowa 5, Albert Lea 4

Albert Lea 0 4 0 — 4

North Iowa 2 2 1 — 5

First Period—1, North Iowa, Tyler Klein 5 (David Mylrea, Ryan Bohrer), 2:11. 2, North Iowa, Klein 6 (Bohrer, John O’Neill), 19:57. Penalties—Micky Knox, Nor (holding), 4:29; Chris Cass, Alb (hooking), 4:29; Stephen Obarzanek, Alb (tripping), 5:01; Bryan Mitchell, Alb (interference), 7:25; Mike McDonald, Nor (interference), 12:55; Mike Kantor, Alb (checking from behind), 17:01; Klein, Nor (tripping), 17:23.

Second Period—3, Zach May 1 (Brian Nehring), 6:34. 4, Albert Lea, Cass 3(Brandon Lubin), 10:02. 5, Lucas Dillon (Connor Gaarder, Zac Frischmon), 11:20. 6, Albert Lea, Brian Nehring 4 (Ricky Brown), 18:05 (sh.). 7, North Iowa, Cory Bellsle 2 (Derek Loisel, Knox), 18:26 (pp.). 8, Albert Lea, Mitchell 2 (Niko Kapetanovic, Chris Cass), 19:39. Penalties—Connor Gaarder, Nor (tripping), 7:54; Keegan Asmundsen, Nor (major-match suspension attempt to injure), 11:49; Brown, Alb (major-charging), 11:49; Gaarder, Nor (high sticking), 14:24; Mike Kantor, Alb (abuse of officials misconduct), 14:37; Kantor, Alb (boarding), 14:37; Cass, Alb (cross checking), 16:58.

Third Period—9, North Iowa, Gaarder (Klein, Bohrer), 18:05. Penalties—Frischmon, Nor (high sticking), 2:03; May, Alb (tripping), 2:08; Ryan McElhone, Nor (hooking), 13:44; Brad Phenow, Alb (slashing), 14:33; Niko Kapetanovic, Alb (slashing), 15:20; Phenow, Alb (tripping), 18:58; Dan Danford, Nor (tripping), 19:46.

Shots on Goal—Albert Lea 7-18-10—35. North Iowa 12-7-8—27.

Power-play opportunities—Albert Lea 0 of 8; North Iowa 1 of 8.

Goalies—Albert Lea, Ben Waalkens 2-9-0 (27 shots, 22 saves). North Iowa, Keegan Asmundsen 1-1-0 (17 shots, 15 saves), Paul Moberg 8-8-1 (18 shots, 16 saves).

A—642. T—2:25.

Referee—Tom Chmielewski. Linesmen—Sam Shikowsky, Colin Besch.