Larson shines on defense, Wangen saves 3rd period penalty shot

Facing section opponent New Prague Tuesday night, the Albert Lea Tigers boys’ hockey team resorted to a makeshift lineup for most of the game.

After David Enstad, one of the Tigers’ (4-1, 3-0 Section 1A) top defenseman, was injured early in the first period, head coach Roy Nystrom shifted first-line forward Austin Larson into Enstad’s spot for the rest of the game.

The result: A 2-1 win and defensive gem.

“Larson came through in fine fashion,” Nystrom said. “He played a heck of a game for us.”

The Tigers led 1-0 after the first period on a power play goal Darik Weigel and brought the same score into the third after a scoreless second.

The Trojans’ (1-4, 0-1 Section 1A) Curt Brezia tied the game six minutes and 26 second into the third period, but Dillon Stolt answered with a goal of his own just 45 seconds later to put the Tigers up for good 2-1.

“It was a total team victory,” Nystrom said. “They pulled up the old boot straps and went to work.”

Tigers goaltender Griffen Wangen saved 27-of-28 shots including a penalty shot that would have tied the game.

The Tigers have won 4-of-5 games to open the season and play again at 7:30 p.m. Thursday at Winona (1-3, 0-1 Big Nine).