The Albert Lea Blades went unbeaten in a pair of weekend games, but it may not be enough to win the Southern Minnesota Hockey League championship.

The Blades defeated Rochester Landon Trophy 10-4 Friday and tied the Rochester Rookies 7-7 Saturday, leaving the locals 8-2-1 in league play. The Rookies are 4-2-1 in the SMHL.

&uot;That one hurt,&uot; said Blades general manager Jason Fornwald. &uot;If we had won, we could have guaranteed at least a first-place tie. If they win out, which they should, they’ll be ahead of us by one point.&uot;

The Blades dominated Landon Trophy early, outshooting the visitors 20-5 while taking a 5-0 lead at the end of the first period.

The Blades got two goals apiece from Justin Bolinger, Mike Nelson and Don Savelkoul. Travis Brua, Kris Ellsworth, Travis Diaz and Levi Hendrickson each scored one goal.

Fornwald was in goal as Albert Lea outshot Rochester 41-34. Each team had three penalties.

The Rochester Rookies scored twice in the final two minutes to pull off the tie.

Hendrickson had two goals. Scoring one each were David Nystrom, Chad Hacker, Nick Kruse and Nelson. Fornwald was again in goal. Shots on goal were 45-45 and each team had one minor penalty.

&uot;Both were fun games to play,&uot; said Fornwald. &uot;Whenever you play Rochester, you know you’re going to face some skilled players. It was real clean, fast-paced hockey.&uot;

The Blades, 10-2-1 overall, are off until Friday, Feb. 21, when Landon Trophy comes to town for an 8 p.m. game at the City Arena.