In its home opener, the Albert Lea boys’ hockey team produced its highest scoring output of the season to win its second consecutive game.

The Tigers needed every point — including a goal by Lucas Hacker with less than four minutes left in regulation — to hold off Red Wing 4-3 Friday at Albert Lea City Arena.

“It was a hard-fought game by both teams,” said Albert Lea coach Roy Nystrom. “Both teams worked hard, and we were the one that was fortunate enough to win.”

Less than three minutes after the opening faceoff, Red Wing’s Joe Renshaw scored.

However, Albert Lea’s Alex Claassen scored the equalizer on a pass from Dalton Flatness with 17 seconds left in the first period.

“Our lines are doing a pretty good job out there,” Nystrom said. “I’m satisfied with their effort.”

The Tigers took their first lead of the game with 3:41 left in the second. Jack Pulley lit the lamp, and Matt Carlson had the assist. About a minute later, Claassen scored his second goal of the game to give Albert Lea a 3-1 lead. Flatness and Pulley were in on the assist.

“We’re getting some good chemistry going, and some of the younger kids are stepping up,” Claassen said.

The Wingers responded three minutes into the third period with a goal by Samuel Hanson to cut their deficit to one, 3-2.

Hacker’s goal gave the Tigers breathing room, but that was taken away about a minute later when Red Wing’s Tyler Defore scored to cut the Wingers’ deficit back to one goal.

Albert Lea’s defense stepped up by clearing the puck with less than 10 seconds left to preserve the lead. Garrett Matz grabbed 24 saves and had a save percentage of .889 for the Tigers. Red Wing’s Adam Defore posted a game-high 28 saves, but his .875 save percentage was lower than Matz.

After starting the season with two losses by the same 4-2 score, the win took Albert Lea (2-2 overall, 2-2 Big Nine Conference) back to .500.

Red Wing (0-5 overall, 0-3 Big Nine Conference) suffered its third one-goal loss of the season. The Wingers lost 3-2 against Faribault at home in the season opener, and they came into Thursday’s game after a 3-2 loss against New Prague.

The Tigers will play Rochester Mayo (2-2 overall, 2-1 Big Nine Conference) at 7:30 p.m. next Thursday. Last season, the teams split the series. The Spartans won the first game 6-1 at home, and Albert Lea won the rematch 5-2 at Albert Lea City Arena.