In its final game of the regular season, the Albert Lea boys’ hockey team traveled to Mankato West on Friday night for a Big Nine Conference showdown.

After battling through three full periods, the Tigers and Scarlets went into overtime and, still, neither team could pull away, ending the game in a 2-2 tie.

The Tigers struck first with a goal in the seventh minute of the first period. Senior Culley Larson scored the goal and was assisted by junior Logan Barr.

The Scarlets would not stay down for long, however, scoring their first goal only three minutes later. Senior Stephen Schwartz scored the tying goal unassisted.

Both teams stayed quiet in the second period. Despite a total of 24 shots on goal from both teams combined, no goals made it past the goalies.

There were no penalties called in the first and second periods.

Mankato West was called for a minor slashing penalty right away in the third period. However, Albert Lea failed to capitalize on the opportunity. Mankato West then gained the upper hand when junior Wyant Fowlds scored a goal assisted by senior Jack Wittenberg and sophomore Gavin Brunmeier.

With only eight minutes left in regulation, the Tigers needed one goal to extend the game. Just over three minutes later, Larson scored his second goal of the game and tied it back up at 2-2. The goal was assisted by Barr and junior Blake Ulve.

Neither team scored through the rest of the period and the contest went to overtime.

The Scarlets fired off nine shots on goal in the overtime period and the Tigers shot six times, but once again, both teams ended the period scoreless, handing the Tigers their second tie of the season.

Senior Brad Horeka was in the goal for Albert Lea and saved 47 of Mankato West’s 49 shots.

The Tigers finish the regular season with a record of 9-14-2. They landed in the No. 7 seed of the Section 1A tournament and will host the No. 11 seed Lancers of La Crescent-Hokah in the first round of the tournament Tuesday night.