The margin of error for the Albert Lea Thunder has become minuscule as the season enters the stretch run and the Thunder fighting for a playoff spot.

Every game now for Albert Lea has utmost import as the gap between the Thunder and fourth-place North Iowa has widened to 10 points.

Albert Lea got a crack at a team not in the Central Division when the Thunder welcomed Marquette to City Arena Friday to try to snap a three-game skid and gain some ground in the Central Division, but the Rangers were out to stop a two-game slid of their own.

Marquette came out and outworked the Thunder through three periods in a 5-1 rout.

“ I thought we got outworked.” said Albert Lea Thunder head coach Chuck Linkenheld. “We lost puck battles … our guys didn’t really focus on what they needed to do.”

The Rangers scored two power-play goals and took advantage of a number Thunder turnovers at both blue lines.

“We tried to make too many moves at both blue lines,” Linkenheld said. “You can’t turn pucks over at the blue lines. We turned the puck over at the blue lines all night long.”

Marquette did its damage early as Tyler Vanscourt got a power-play goal at the 6:34 mark in the first period to get the Rangers out to a 1-0 lead.

In the second period, the Rangers extended their lead with a Collin Saint-Onge goal that put Marquette up 2-0.

Already up 2-0 the Rangers continued to pour it on in the third period, tallying three more goals. Mike Peterson put home a pass from Collin Saint-Onge at the 5:45 mark to make it 3-0 and Marquette then struck on a Tanner Kero power-play goal as he deposited a Garret Ladd pass into the net to extend the lead to 4-0.

Albert Lea finally got on the board in the third period when Niko Kapetanovic scored his 10th goal of the season on an assist from Alex Niestrom and Derek Docken.

The Rangers weren’t done scoring and added a goal from Ladd with 2:21 left to play for the 5-1 final.

The Thunder lost for the fourth consecutive game and sixth time in seven games.

Albert Lea and Marquette completed the two-game set Saturday at City Arena as this edition went to press.

Marquette 5, Albert Lea 1

Marquette 1 1 3 — 5

Albert Lea 0 0 1 — 1

First Period— 1, Marquette, Tyler Vanscourt 3 (Andrew Kolb), 6:34 (pp.). Penalties—Alex Niestrom, Alb (elbowing), 4:36; Zach May (hooking), 14:42.

Second Period— 2, Marquette, Collin Saint-Onge 13 (Nate Taurence), 7:35. Penalties—Jake Armijo (Slasing), 3:16.

Third Period—3, Marquette, Mike Peterson 1 (Collin Saint-Onge), 5:45. 4, Marquette, Tanner Kero 21 (Garret Ladd), 7:30 (pp.). 5, Albert Lea, Niko Kapetanovic 10 (Alex Niestrom, Derek Docken), 7:23. 6, Garrett Ladd 13 (Brent Bain), 17:39. Penalties—Ricky Brown, Alb (cross checking), 6:27; Ricky Brown, Alb (fighting major), 6:27; Kevin Gibson, Mar (fighting major), 6:27; Andrew Kolb, Mar (hooking), 12:11.

Shots on Goal—Marquette 14-7-12—33. Albert Lea 19-2-8—29.

Power-play opportunities—Marquette 2 of 4; Albert Lea 0 of 1.

Goalies—Marquette, Kevin Kissaw 14-9-0 (29-shots, 28 saves). Albert Lea, Joe Rogers 6-12-2 (33-28).

A—350. T—2:08.

Referee—Zachary Blazic. Linesmen—Nicholas Bradshaw, Mark Supina.