For the Tribune

In regional play last weekend, the Albert Lea A Bantams were off to a great start and then fizzled out in the championship game.

Saturday, March 09, 2002

In regional play last weekend, the Albert Lea A Bantams were off to a great start and then fizzled out in the championship game.

The opening game on Friday night saw the A Bantams skate to a 4-1 victory over Hutchinson. Scoring only 1:34 into the first period was Ben Jones assisted by Alex Lair. Also scoring in the first period was Cory Ellertson assisted by Dustin Trail.

Hutchinson drew first blood scoring early in the second period. Albert Lea’s Peter Bracker scored later in the period assisted by Breuer making it a 3 -1 game. Both teams skated hard in the third period with Albert Lea scoring the only goal by Jonathan Breuer assisted by Travis McKinney. Albert Lea outshot Hutchinson 22-9.

The locals faced Mound-Westonka in their second game. Albert Lea set the pace early and did not let up. Lucas Flugum scored first, assisted by McKinney and Breuer. Scoring a goal both in the first and second period was Breuer with assists going to McKinney and Trail. Anthony Hoiseth put the icing on the cake with an open-net goal assisted by Casey Bowman and McKinney. That made it 4-0 for Albert Lea with Evan Long in net registering a shutout.

In the championship game it was Albert Lea against a very aggressive Orono team. Orono proved its point and scored five times when Albert Lea was shorthanded. Albert Lea scored only once in the second period with a goal by Breuer assisted by McKinney.

The 6-1 loss left Albert Lea in second place.

Also skating well all weekend were Klint Anderson, Alex Stadheim and Ethan Peterson.

The Albert Lea A Bantams’ record is 29-14-2. The team heads back to Waseca this weekend to play in the annual VFW tournament..

The locals are coached by Jon Breuer and Scott Ellertson. The team manager is Steve Bracker.