A hat trick from Van Zelenak led the Albert Lea boys’ hockey team to its fourth straight win and a tie for fourth place in the Big Nine Conference standings.

The Tigers kept Rochester John Marshall’s goalie busy in the first period with 16 shots on goal. The Rockets had 18 shots on goal in the entire game.

Albert Lea beat Rochester John Marshall 4-2 Thursday in Rochester to sweep the regular season series after beating the Rockets 5-2 at home Dec. 14.

Zelenak broke the ice in the rematch during the first period when he scored a short-handed goal on passes from Dalton Flatness and Lucas Peterson. Peterson lit the lamp about four minutes later at even strength on a pass from Andrew Thompson.

Rochester John Marshall stayed in the game with a short-handed goal by Conner Lee near the end of the first period.

In the second period, Albert Lea pushed its lead back to two goals, 3-1, with Zelenak’s second score.

Zelenak added his third goal in the third period. Rochester John Marshall scored a minute later but was unable to cut its deficit any more.

Garrett Matz led the Tigers in the goal with 16 saves.

Next, Albert Lea (10-7-1 overall, 7-4 Big Nine Conference) will host Rochester Mayo at 3 p.m. Saturday. The Spartans (8-2 overall, 11-8 Big Nine Conference) are second in the conference standings.