After weeks of missed chances to gain ground in the Central Division the Albert Lea Thunder moved to within four points of fourth place and made some history along the way.

The Thunder scored the franchise’s first shutout Friday with a 3-0 victory against Alexandria at City Arena.

Nikifor Szczerba got his first NAHL victory after turning away 37 shots and Niko Kapetanovic recorded a goal and an assist after being sent off the ice after the second period Tuesday in an 8-2 loss to Owatonna.

“It was a really big one for us,” said Albert Lea head coach Chuck Linkenheld. “We worked a lot this week on special teams and it seemed to pay off. We were getting a lot of opportunities on the power play.”

Kapetanovic scored his 14th goal of the season on a power play with six seconds to play in the second period while Brett Meyers and Zach May added goals.

Meyers scored at 9:09 of the first period and May scored with 1:21 left in the game.

Szczerba entered the game with a 0-2-3 loss and the team rallied to help him preserve the shutout.

“He deserves so many (wins),” Linkenheld said. “I think the guys were pressing hard to get that shutout, good to see him get it.”

With North Iowa’s loss to Owatonna Friday, Albert Lea moved four points back of the Outlaws for fourth places. The Thunder play North Iowa five times in March in what could develop into an exciting finish to the season for Albert Lea.

Albert Lea 3, Alexandria 0

Alexandria 0 0 0 — 0

Albert Lea 1 1 1 — 3

First Period—1, Albert Lea, Brett Meyers 4 (Niko Kapetanovic, Derek Docken), 9:09. Penalties—Brett Wall, Alx (hooking), 9:30; Michael Benedict, Alx (checking from behind), 9:59; Brad Phenow, Alb (holding), 12:35; Grant Dye, Alx (interference), 17:12.

Second Period—2, Niko Kapetanovic 14 (Anthony Iaquinto, Luke Jenkins), 19:54 (pp.). Penalties—Kapetanovic, Alb (holding), 5:05; Phenow, Alb (checking from behind), 10:47; Zach Fulton, Alx (checking from behind), 18:03.

Third Period—3, Zach May 6 (unassisted), 18:39. Penalties—Fulton, Alx (interference), 3:41; Kapetanovic, Alb (hooking), 4:40; Joe Kozlak, Alb (hooking), 8:46; Nardo Nagtzaam, Alx (unsportsmanlike conduct), 8:47; Patrick Kinkopf, Alb (hooking), 13:00; Dye, Alx (checking from behind), 19:18.

Shots on Goal—Alexandria 15-10-12—37. Albert Lea 21-10-15—46.

Power-play opportunities—Alexandria 0 of 6; Albert Lea 1 of 7.

Goalies—Alexandria, Chris Kamal 13-10-2 (46 shots-43 saves). Albert Lea—Nikifor Szczerba 1-2-3 (37-37).

A—350. T—2:03.

Referee—Shaun Andring. Linesmen—Brett Martin, Dana Penkivech.