An offensive explosion in the first period carried the Albert Lea boys’ hockey team to its third straight win.

The Tigers’ beat Rochester Century 5-2 Tuesday at Albert Lea City Arena.

The win came on the heels of a 5-2 home win against Faribault on Saturday and a 3-2 overtime win at Owatonna on Thursday.

Against the Panthers, a goal by Matt Cheever 1 minute and 8 seconds into the game was a sign of things to come. The Tigers jumped out to a 4-0 lead in the first period. Andrew Thompson, Lucas Peterson and Van Zelenak followed with one goal each.

Rochester Cenury’s John Zwarych scored the game’s only second-period goal. In the third period, Zwarych found the net again and cut Albert Lea’s lead to two goals.

Zelenak countered with his second goal of the game, which was the final scoring play of the evening.

The Tigers outshot the Panthers 12-4 in the first period, but Rochester Century had a 19-shot advantage in the other two periods.

Garrett Matz led Albert Lea in the net with 31 saves. Joseph Pundt of Rochester Century had 17 saves and faced 22 shots.

Albert Lea had one power-play opportunity and didn’t score. Rochester Century had three chances and never scored. All goals were scored at even strength.

The win bumped the Tigers (9-7-1 overall, 6-4 Big Nine Conference) to fourth place in the conference standings. The Panthers (8-3 overall, 10-9 Big Nine Conference) are third in the standings. Rochester Century and Albert Lea will play a rematch at 7:30 p.m. Feb. 8.

Next, Albert Lea will play at 7:30 p.m. Thursday at Rochester John Marshall. The Tigers beat the Rockets 5-2 on Dec. 14.