After beating the top team in the Big Nine Conference by eight goals on Thursday, the Albert Lea boys’ hockey team suffered a setback in its next outing.

Northfield (8-5-2, 5-4-2 Big Nine Conference) defeated the Tigers (8-8, 5-5 Big Nine Conference) 3-2 Saturday at Roy Nystrom Arena.

The Raiders were coming off a 4-1 home loss against Rochester Mayo. The Tigers were coming off a 9-1 win at Rochester Mayo.

“It brings us right back down to earth,” said Albert Lea coach Roy Nystrom. “It shows us that you can’t rest on your laurels, and you’ve got to be thinking about the next game.”

The Tigers produced 42 shots on goal compared to 40 for the Raiders, but Albert Lea only led for about three minutes.

“Northfield definitely came to play,” Nystrom said. “I thought their feet were moving a heck of a lot faster than ours, especially at the beginning of the game.”

Albert Lea lit the lamp first about 12 minutes into the opening period. Jack Pulley found the net with assists from Alex Claassen and Brady Loch.

Northfield tied the game later in the first and took a 2-1 lead 12:53 into the second. With 40 seconds left in the second, the Tigers tied the game on a goal by Sam Chalmers.

In the third period, the Raiders took a 3-2 lead on an unassisted goal by Ryan Torbenson. It was Northfield’s second unassisted goal of the afternoon.

“I don’t know how many lone breaks they had that our goaltender had to stop,” Nystrom said. “They capitalized on their opportunities.”

Albert Lea goalie, Garrett Matz, saved 37 of 40 shots.

The Tigers defeated the Raiders during the regular season last year, but Northfield eliminated Albert Lea from the section playoffs the last three seasons.

“They didn’t end (our season) today, but they have had the edge on us the last three years,” Nystrom said. “I’d say its a rivalry. It’s certainly two even and balanced teams.”

Next, Albert Lea will host Rochester John Marshall (6-10, 4-4 Big Nine Conference) at 7:30 p.m. Thursday.