The Austin Bruins pulled within one win of their second straight NAHL Central Division title in Bismarck Friday.

The Bruins (39-19-1 overall) beat the Bobcats (31-23-5 overall) 4-1 and they are now one point ahead of Aberdeen in the NAHL Central with one game left for each team.

Bismarck struck first with a first-period goal from Tyler Dunagan, but it was the last bit of offense the Bobcats were able to muster. Austin tied the score in the second period on a power play goal from Charlie Manley.

Alex Pettersson, Kody Reuter and Niko Hildenbrand all added goals in a three-goal third period.

Austin outshot Bismarck 31-15.

A Bruins win or an Aberdeen loss on Saturday will give Austin the top seed in the NAHL Central Division playoffs.

Nick Lehr had 14 saves for Austin Friday.

SCORING SUMMARY

Austin          0 1 3  —  4

Bismarck     1 0 0  —  1

First period

(B) Tyler Dunagan (power play) (Zach Yon, Huba Sekesi) 10:55

Second period

(A)   Charlie Manley (power play) 4:33

Third period

(A)   Alex Petersson (Kody Reuter) 5:17

(A)   Reuter (Eli May) 12:13

(A)   Niko HIldenbrand (empty net) Jay Dickman) 19:32

Shots: Austin – 31; Bismarck – 15

Power plays: Austin – 1-for-5; Bismarck -1-for-6