The Albert Lea boys’ hockey team hosted Rochester Mayo on Thursday night in its last home game of the regular season.

Despite a late comeback attempt after trailing 3-0, the Tigers came up just short of the Spartans, falling 3-2.

It took Mayo less than two minutes of game time to find the back of the net and take the lead. Mayo sophomore Mark Olson scored the goal assisted by senior Will Rownd and junior Noah Grethen.

The Spartans extended their lead in the eighth minute when sophomore Owen Holtan connected off an assist from fellow sophomore Ethan Norman. The Tigers fired off 10 shots in the first period, but none made their way past the goalie. The Spartans attempted nine shots on goal in the period.

Mayo was forced to send a player to the penalty box early in the second period after a minor tripping penalty. However, being short a player had no impact, as Mayo senior WIll Weick scored an unassisted, short-handed goal to take a 3-0 lead.

Albert Lea finally cut into the lead with their first goal of the game midway through the second period. Junior Caden Severtson scored the goal for the Tigers and fellow junior Spencer Clark was there with the assist.

Each team made one goal in the second period and each team took 11 shots on goal in the period.

The third period was fairly uneventful until the final five minutes of play. With 4:39 left in the game, Mayo was called for a minor slashing penalty. Albert Lea took full advantage of the power-play opportunity and junior Logan Barr scored a goal assisted by junior Blake Ulve with 3:45 left to play.

Despite their best efforts, the Tigers were unable to score the tying goal. Sophomore Braden Fjelsta was in the goal for the Tigers and saved 23 of the Spartans 26 shots.

The Tigers fall to 9-14-1 this season and were set to play in their final regular season game Friday night on the road against Mankato West. Look to Tuesday’s edition of the Tribune for full stats from that game.