The Albert Lea boys’ hockey team snapped a two-game skid Thursday in the first round of the Simley tournament with a 5-0 win against Cambridge-Isanti.

The Bluejackets’ 1-9 overall record didn’t look intimidating before the opening faceoff, but their first four games were decided by two goals or fewer. They’d only been shut out once this season — a 7-0 loss at Buffalo.

The Tigers (4-4 overall, 2-4 Big Nine Conference) took control from the beginning.

Jack Pulley found the net in the first period to give the Tigers a 1-0 lead. The assist was credited to Alex Claassen and Brady Loch.

Albert Lea extended its lead with two goals by Andrew Thompson, a goal by Claassen and a goal by Van Zelenak. Loch led the Tigers with two assists.

The Tigers play Simley, their second round opponent, at 7 p.m. today. Simley (4-5 overall, 1-2 Classic Suburban Conference) is coming off a 6-3 loss to Farmington in the first round, which knocked them below .500 overall. It was the Spartans’ first loss of the season by more than two goals.

Albert Lea is looking to win back-to-back games for the first time this season.

Statistics are in the Scoreboard: Dec. 26 post.