The scoreboard at Albert Lea City Arena read “Home 4, Away 1” at the conclusion of Tuesday night’s game. It might as well have read “Savelkoul sisters 4, Away 1.”

The Tigers took down Austin at home for their second win in consecutive nights. Hannah and Sarah Savelkoul each had two goals in the victory.

“We were a little tired because we didn’t practice this weekend,” junior goaltender Katie Schwarz said. “So it’s kind of rough to start off with a game on a Monday and Tuesday. We still have a lot to work on.”

Albert Lea came out strong, but a goal wasn’t easy to come by. Schwarz said she saw improvement from the team in Tuesday’s game.

“We’re improving as the season goes on,” she said. “We’ve been through a lot so far, and it hasn’t even been half the season yet.”

Hannah Savelkoul broke the ice 14 minutes into the game when she scored on the power play.

Sarah Savelkoul scored her first goal of the game six minutes into the second period when she let a wrister go from the high slot, and the Tigers seemed to be off and running. Austin answered four minutes later with a power play goal of their own, and Albert Lea led 2-1 going into the third period.

Schwarz said that it was “really cool” to see the two sisters light the lamp.

Albert Lea peppered Austin goalie Mara Overby with 18 shots in the second period alone. The Tigers had 34 total shots on goal.

Albert Lea put it away in the game’s final period.

Sarah Savelkoul scored her second goal of the game, this time on the power play, 6 minutes into the final stanza. Her little sister put the game on ice 4 minutes later.

Schwarz gave up only one goal on 22 shots.

The two teams cut some ruts to the penalty box as Albert Lea took eight penalties and Austin took five.

Schwarz said playing Austin was good for the team, because the games between the two are always competitive.

“It seems like whenever they come to play us it’s their Stanley Cup,” Schwarz said. “It’s kind of fun playing them because we’re so close together.”