NEW ULM &045; The final score was close but the Albert Lea boys’ hockey team kept hurting itself with one penalty after another in a 4-3 loss to New Ulm to open the season.

The Tigers were called for 12 penalties in the game and six alone in the third period.

&8220;That many penalties shows a lack of disiplined play by us which can be attributed in large part to the youth of the team,&8221; said Albert Lea head coach Roy Nystrom.

&8220;New Ulm pretty well outworked us during the primary part of the game.&8221;

The game was marred by penalties as the teams were whistled for 23 total.

The Tigers found themselves down 3-1 heading into the final period Before Mark Walton recorded his second goal of the night and Alex Lair would add another tally but it would not be enough.

&8220;We had our chances to tie the game up but when you are in the penalty box for 12 of the 17 minutes in the third period it is going to be very tough to do,&8221; said Nystrom.

Walton got the Tigers on the board in the first period with assists going to Alex Stadheim and

Dustin Arendt.

Clay Casanova faced 31 shots in net for the Tigers making several strong saves.

The Tigers will be back in action Tuesday when they take to the road to face Waseca.

New Ulm 4, Albert Lea 3

AL

1

0

2 &045; 3

NU

2

1

1 &045; 4

First Period

Mark Walton (Alex Stadheim and Dustin Arendt)

Third Period

Alex Lair (unassisted); Walton (Lair)