BISMARCK — It’s hard to overshadow a hat-trick, but the Austin Bruins’ Joe Siers did just that with his game-winning goal in overtime, evening the NAHL Central Division championship series with a 4-3 win over Bismarck Saturday night.

Siers’ score came on a pass from Jeremy Finger at 8:13 of extra time to secure the win.

Up until that point the game’s scoring had fallen Brandon Wahlin who had all three of Austin’s goals in regular time.

Wahlin scored a goal in the first period and two more in the second to complete the hat trick.

Tyler Bruggeman got the win turning away 24 of the Bobcats 27 shots.

The Bruins return home this Friday and Saturday for games three and four at Riverside Arena. Both games start at 7:05.

 

Scoring summary

Austin 1 2 0 1 — 4

Bismarck 1 2 0 0 — 3

First period

(B) Buster Hebda (Danny Ray), 4:41

(A) Brandon Wahlin (Matt Hansen), 8:45

Second Period

(B) Shane Omdahl PP (Aaron Nelson), :44

(A) Brandon Wahlin (Jeremy Finger), 5:36

(B) Shane Omdahl (Adam Knockenmus, Nicholas Miglio), 6:32

(A) Brandon Wahlin (Matt Hansen), 17:39

Overtime

(A) Joe Siers (Jeremy Finger), 8:13

Powerplays: Austin — 0-for-0; Bismarck — 1-for-2

Shots: Austin — 31, Bismarck — 27