From the second period on the Albert Lea Thunder played a listless game against Bismarck in Game 2 of the North American Hockey League Central Division playoffs and the Bobcats routed the Thunder 8-2 in Bismarck to take a commanding 2-0 lead in the best-of-five series.

Bismarck (41-11-8) scored four goals in the second period to take a 6-1 lead and took advantage of several Albert Lea mistakes.

“We just played horrible,” said Thunder head coach Chuck Linkenheld. “We got outplayed. We got outworked, we got outplayed. All of us made some really bad errors.”

Linkenheld said his team gave up too many odd-man rushes, made too many mistakes against the top team in the Central Division, and didn’t find the energy it needed after dropping the series opener 4-2 Friday.

The Bobcats grabbed the game’s first goal at 10 minutes, 34 seconds in the first period when Jason Fabian scored, but Thunder forward Brian Nehring tied the game just 32 seconds later.

Bismarck’s Ryan Jacobson scored the first of his two goals at 15:31 of the first to make it a 2-1 game.

Tim Serratore scored at 4:47 of the second period to give the Bobcats a 3-1 lead and Albert Lea never recovered.

“When the game went to 3-1 we did not fight to get back into the game,” Linkenheld said. “We pouted instead of bringing up our level of play.”

Bismarck scored three goals in a span of 2:49 for a 6-1 lead.

Aaron Quick scored his second goal of the game at 7:59 of the third shorthanded and Tyler Klein added a power-play goal at 15:17.

Sheldon Taylor scored for Albert Lea at 10:06 to make it 7-2.

The series shifts to Albert Lea Friday and the Thunder find themselves down 0-2 and facing elimination from the playoffs.

“It’s going to be up to the players,” Linkenheld said. “They gotta play harder. It’s not Xs and Os.”

The Thunder face Bismarck Friday at 7:30 p.m. at City Arena.

Bismarck 8, Albert Lea 2

Albert Lea 1 0 1 — 2

Bismarck 2 4 2 — 8

First Period—1, Bismarck, Jason Fabian 25 (Nick Jensen), 10:34. 2, Albert Lea, Brian Nehring 11 (Alex Niestrom), 11:06. 3, Bismarck, Ryan Jacobson 28 (Tom McCarthy), 15:31. Penalties—Sean McKenzie, Bis (hooking), 1:54.

Second Period—4, Bismarck, Tim Serratore 12 (Dominic Panetta, Sam Rendle), 4:47. 5, Bismarck, Casey Kleisinger 21 (Tyler Klein, McKenzie), 11:24. 6, Bismarck, Jacobson 29 (Panetta, Fabian), 13:04. 7, Bismarck, Aaron Quick 11 (Trent Johnson, Brent Bower), 14:13. Penalties—Johnson, Bis, (roughing-double minor), 14:43; Johnson, Bis (unsportsmanlike conduct), 14:43; John Avino, Bis (roughing), 14:43; Matt Shost, Bis (roughing), 14:43; Sheldon Taylor, Alb (roughing-double minor), 14:43; Zach May, Alb; game ejection (checking from behind-double minor), 14:43; Matt Johnson, Alb (roughing-double minor), 14:43.

Third Period—8, Bismarck, Quick 12 (unassisted), 7:59 (sh.). 9, Albert Lea, Taylor 2 (Derek Docken), 10:06. 10, Bismarck, Klein 16 (Kleisinger), 15:17 (pp.). Penalties—Taylor, Alb (tripping), 2:35; Avino, Bis (interference), 7:50; Brandon Lubin, Alb (interference), 12:05; Patrick Kinkopf, Alb (interference), 14:38; Anthony Iaquinto, Alb (checking from behind), 19:23.

Shots on Goal—Albert Lea 8-10-8—26. Bismarck 13-11-9—33.

Power-play opportunities—Albert Lea 0 of 2; Bismarck 1 of 5.

Goalies—Albert Lea, Joe Rogers 13-21-0 (33 shots-25 saves). Bismarck, Jake Williams 14-5-0 (26-24).

A—1,179. T—2:15.

Referee—Robert Lukkason. Linesmen—Andrew Dokken, Phil Stodgell.