The 2001-02 season has been a story of success for the Albert Lea High School boys’ hockey team.

Friday, February 15, 2002

The 2001-02 season has been a story of success for the Albert Lea High School boys’ hockey team.

The Tigers are hoping to give it fairy tale ending.

Coach Roy Nystrom is hopeful heading into the Section 1A tournament, and the Tigers took some momentum into the playoffs with a 5-2 triumph over Winona at the City Arena Thursday night. Albert Lea improved to 12-10 overall and finished third in the Big Nine at 10-6.

The Tigers started slow, trailing 2-1 late in the first period, but they outshot Winona 24-8 through the final two stanzas to win going away. Nystrom said it should serve as a lesson entering postseason play.

&uot;If we don’t come to play and work hard, anybody can beat us,&uot; said Nystrom. &uot;On the other hand, if we come ready to play and work hard, we can beat anybody. Hard work has gotten us where we are, and we’ve got to take it into the playoffs.&uot;

Adam Boelter put the Tigers up 1-0 at 3:36 of the first period, when he scored on an assist by Matt Dugstad. Winona scored at 11:18 and 14:13, but the Tigers tied it at 14:36 on a goal by Dugstad; Boelter and Matt Petersen assisted.

Bracker scored unassisted in the second period, as did Matt Madsen in the third. Casey Schumaker got the final goal, assisted by Madsen.

&uot;(Goalie) Matt Tubbs kept us in it in the first period,&uot; said Nystrom. &uot;Once we started to skate, we controlled the game. Winona played us tough.&uot;

The Tigers are seeded second behind Rochester Lourdes in the section. They open tournament play next Thursday at 7 p.m. against Mankato West at the City Arena.