The Albert Lea Thunder have the league’s worst power play conversion percentage and it had plenty of opportunities to improve on that percentage in its two-game road trip to Owatonna and Alexandria on Thursday and Friday, but failed to capitalize.

The Thunder (8-21-3), who have an 11 percent conversion rate on the power play, had 15 power-play opportunities in its two-game road trip, including eight Friday, and found the goal three times and came away with just one point following Friday’s 3-2 shootout loss to the Blizzard in Alexandria.

Grant Dye and Simon Cederborg-Nilsson scored shootout goals to seal the victory for Alexandria as the Blizzard maintained a six-point lead over Albert Lea in the Central Division standings.

The Thunder skated out to a first period lead for the second straight game when Chris Cass scored his eighth goal of the season on a power play and Anthony Iaquinto gave Albert Lea a 2-1 lead in the second period after his power-play tally with one second remaining in the period.

But Alexandria tied the game midway through the third with Cederborg-Nilsson’s sixth goal of the season, which came on a power play at the 10:28 mark.

The Thunder outshot their opponent for the second consecutive night with 37 shots on goal, compared to 35 for the Blizzard.

Nikifor Szczerba made his first start in goal for Albert Lea and turned away 32 shots.

The Thunder play Owatonna Jan. 12 in Owatonna.

Alexandria 3, Albert Lea 2, Alexandria wins shootout 2-1

Albert Lea 1 1 0 0 0 — 2

Alexandria 0 1 1 0 1 — 3

First Period—1, Albert Lea, Chris Cass 8 (Patrick Kinkopf, Niko Kapetanovic), 19:25 (pp.). Penalties—Brian Nehring, Alb (tripping), 3:58; Brandon Lubin, Alb (cross checking), 5:54; Anthony Iaquinto, Alb (slashing), 7:56; Matt Hannibal, Alb (high sticking), 9:39; Chris Franks, Ale (holding), 10:23; Steve Zierke, Ale (tripping), 19:00; Anthony Iaquinto, Alb (cross checking), 20:00.

Second Period—2, Alexandria, Dylan Wizner 3 (Trent Johnson, Mike Krieg), 4:42. 3, Albert Lea, Iaquinto 6 (Lubin), 19:59. Penalties—Grant Dye, Ale (tripping), 1:20; Iaquinto, Alb (major-fighting), 2:08; Zach Fulton, Ale (major-fighting), 2:08; Zierke, Ale (roughing), 4:55; Wizner, Ale (hooking), 11:10; Brett Wall, Ale (high sticking), 14:23; Simon Cederborg-Nilsson, Ale (holding), 19:16.

Third Period—4, Alexandria, Cederborg-Nilsson 6 (Kyle Clay, Wall), 10:28 (pp.). Penalties—Wall, Ale (hooking), 1:46; Matt Johnson, Alb (checking from behind), 9:52.

Overtime—None.

Shootout—Albert Lea 1 (Nehring NG, Stephen Obarzanek NG, Zach May NG, Mark Ellis G, Niko Kapetanovic NG), Alexandria 2 (Franks NG, Cederborg-Nilsson G, Tyler Resch NG, Clay NG, Dye G).

Shots on Goal—Albert Lea 10-10-11-5-1—37. Alexandria 12-11-7-3-2—35.

Power-play opportunities—Albert Lea 2 of 8; Alexandria 1 of 6.

Goalies—Albert Lea, Nikifor Szczerba 0-1-0 (35 shots-32 saves). Alexandria, Chris Kamal 9-7-2 (37-35).

A—778. T—2:37.

Referee—Robert Lukkason. Linesmen—Johnathan Morrison, Robert Mayer.