AUSTIN &045; It was obvious the Austin Packers were going to try and play a physical game against the Albert Lea High School girls’ hockey team.

But the plan had a catch. The Packers found themselves in the penalty box a little too often. And the Tigers took advantage by putting the puck in the net.

Albert Lea scored two power play goals and defeated their arch rivals 4-0 in a Big Nine game Thursday night at Austin’s Riverside Arena.

The win improved the Tigers to 3-0 in the Big Nine and 4-1 overall after a season-opening loss to preseason section favorite New Ulm. Austin, which defeated Columbia Heights 4-0 two nights earlier in a nonconference game, fell to 1-1.

&uot;We told our girls after the first period, ‘Keep your cool. Let them take the penalties,’&uot; said ALHS coach Mike Miller. &uot;We did it, and we put them away.&uot;

As has been the case so far this year, the Tigers started slow, getting outshot 10-5 in the first period. The lone goal came at the 5:36 mark, during the first power play, with Tessa Christensen beating the goaltender after taking a pass from Amy Leach.

&uot;We played O.K. in the first period, much better than our last three games,&uot; said Miller. &uot;The second period has been ours.&uot;

The second period started the way much of the game went, with Tiger goalie Danika Porter denying the Packers on a quality scoring chance.

The Tigers then quickly made it 2-0 on an unassisted goal by Karissa Lau at 1:53.

It remained 2-0 despite two more Albert Lea power plays and one for Austin, but the Tigers finished the period with a flurry.

Laura Hillman scored at 13:35, assisted by Leach and Christensen, and Austin took another penalty with 24 seconds left. Just 15 seconds later Christensen scored, assisted by Hillman and Frances O’Donnell.

The Tigers outshot Austin 23-8 in the period and 37-24 for the game. Austin had six penalties, Albert Lea three.

The shutout was the second of the season and the eighth overall for Porter.

The Tigers return to the City Arena Saturday for a 2 p.m. Big Nine game against Winona.