BISMARCK, N.D. – The Austin Bruins let a two-goal lead slip away in a 3-2 loss to Bismarck in game three of the NAHL Central Finals in Bismarck Friday.

The Bruins now have their backs to the wall and must win two in a row to keep their season alive and get to the Robertson Cup.

Bismarck took the lead for good when Matt Pohlkamp scored with 9:49 left to put the Bobcats up 3-2 in the third.

The Bobcats tied the game at 2-2 when Levi Blom scored with 11:49 left in the game.

The Bruins took a 2-0 lead when John Simonson scored in the first and CJ Smith scored in the second period.

Nick Lehr had 37 saves in the loss for Austin.

Bismarck will host game four Saturday at 7:35 p.m. and game five would be in Riverside Arena Monday.

SCORING SUMMARY

Austin 1 1 0 – 2

Bismarck 0 1 2 – 3

First period

(A) John Simonson (shorthanded) (Chris Fischer) 13:22

Second period

(A ) CJ Smith (Fischer) 6:44

(B) Shane Omdahl (powerplay) (Nate Repensky, Matt Pohlkamp) 9:02

Third period

(B) Levi Blom (Pohlkamp, Stanslav Dzakhov) 8:11

(B) Pohlkamp (powerplay) (Filip Starzynski, Repenksy) 11:11

Shots: Austin – 30; Bismarck – 40

Powerplays: Austin – 0-for-2; Bismarck 2-for-4