File photo by Travis Rosenau New Ulm Steel defenseman Zach Maret (26) handles the puck during an NA3HL game with Mason City earlier this season.

NEW ULM — At the 16:49 mark of the third period, the New Ulm Steel’s Blake Biermaier scored his second goal of the game to pull New Ulm to within 3-2 of Mason City.

But the Toros’ Jordan Newpower responded with a goal less than two minutes later as Mason City came away with a 4-2 win over New Ulm Friday night in an NA3HL game.

Landen Schwantes, Charlie Kielty, Connor Souza and Johnny Thrasher each had an assist for the Steel.

Nolan Lacosse stopped 37 of 41 Toros shots.

For Steel head coach Alex North, it was a game that saw ups and downs for his team as they dropped their fifth straight game.

“The first period, we were clearly the better team and their coach even admitted it,” North said. “But the second period we got away from our game. But in the end it was still a 2-1 game.”

The Toros, who now hold a 3-point lead over the Steel in the West Division, took a 1-0 lead at the 7:50 mark of the first period on a goal from Colin Hedland and carried that into the second period.

The Steel (4-8-2) knotted the game on Blake Biermaier’s first goal — a power-play score — at the 1:08 mark of the second period.

But seven minutes later, Mason City’s Cullen Hogan gave the Toros a 2-1 lead going into the third period.

A Cal Lewis goal at the 6:39 mark of the third period had the Steel down 3-1. Biermaier’s second goal of the game gave New Ulm some life at 3-2 before Newpower salted the game away.

“Our issue tonight was on our back-checking,” North said. “We were not picking up guys. I thought that Nolan played one of his best games of the year tonight.”

Still, North wants to see his team rewarded.

“Our group is so resilient and want to get rewarded for it one of these times,” North said. “We are so close and they know it. Now we get to face (14-0) Granite City Saturday.”

The Steel host the Lumberjacks at 7:10 p.m. Saturday at the New Ulm Civic Center.