The Albert Lea boys’ hockey team hosted Northfield on Saturday afternoon in hopes of avenging its one-goal loss earlier in the season.

Despite getting on the scoreboard first and a late third-period push, the Tigers would fall to the Raiders, 3-2.

It was a quiet opening period for both teams, with neither one being able to find the back of the net. The Tigers were unable to score despite having three power-play opportunities in the first. They notched eight shots on goal, while the Raiders recorded five.

Striking first for the Tigers was junior Cole Wentzel on a breakaway goal to put them up in an early one-goal lead. The score came five minutes into the second period and it was assisted by seniors Noah Karge and Michael Savelkoul.

From that moment on, however, the period would be all Raiders. Just three minutes later, the Raiders tied the game at one a piece. They would add two more goals before the period was over, one coming with eight minutes remaining and the other with just over two minutes remaining.

Down by two goals entering the final period of play, it would take a lot of work from the Tigers, but it wasn’t out of the question. Almost five minutes into play, the Tigers would start their comeback attempt when a shot from Savelkoul hit its mark. The goal was assisted by junior Carson Goodell.

Albert Lea had a few more chances, pulling the goalie Calen Hoelscher with under a minute remaining in an attempt to take the numbers advantage.

Despite the effort, the comeback attempt would fall short, as the Tigers dropped their fifth game of the season.

Albert Lea falls to 10-5 in regular season play and will be back in action on Thursday when the team travels to Rochester to take on the Century Panthers.