The Austin girls hockey team never found its way in a 5-1 loss at Albert Lea Thursday.

The Tigers (3-3 overall, 2-1 Big Nine) scored two first period goals as they fired off 15 shots in the first period and Austin (2-4 overall, 0-3 Big Nine) couldn’t get back in it.

Austin senior Ashley Arhart scored to make it a 2-1 game with 6:02 left in the second period but Albert Lea scored twice in the last minute of the period to take over.

“We got beat to the puck and if you’re not going to win the little battles, you’re not going to win the game,” Austin head coach Denny Bray said. “We came out really flat and Albert Lea took it to us.”

Austin didn’t get a goal in seven power plays and it allowed a shorthanded goal in the third period.

Allison Hoban had 29 saves for the Packers, who attempted 25 shots on goal.

SCORING SUMMARY

Austin 0 1 0 — 1

Albert Lea 2 2 1 — 5

First period

(AL) Anna Anderson 2:00

(AL) Lauren Draayer (powerplay) (Sophia Jepson) 13:37

Second period

(A) Ashley Arhart (shorthanded) (Abby Gallaher) 11:58

(AL) Natasha Moyer 16:01

(AL) Mariah Leach (powerplay) (Anderson) 16:25

Third period

(AL) Anderson (shorthanded) 3:53