The Austin Bruins clinched home ice in the first round of the NAHL Central playoffs when they beat Brookings (17-25-9 overall) 2-1 in Riverside Arena Wednesday night.

Nico Sturm had a first period goal for the Bruins (32-10-11 overall) and he assisted on a second period goal scored by Zach Kennedy to give Austin a 2-0 lead.

Evan Smith had 18 saves for Austin.

The Bruins are now seven points ahead of second place Minot in the NAHL Central Division.

SCORING SUMMARY

Brookings 0 0 1 — 1

Austin 1 1 0 — 2

First period

(A) Nico Sturm (power play) (Brian Bachnak, JC Maclean) 3:48

Second period

(A) Zach Kennedy (Sturm, Jake Arroyo) 8:05

Third period

(B) Nate Colwell (Kristoffer Brun) 12:03

Shots: Austin — 27; Brookings — 19

Power plays: Austin — 1-for-5; Brookings — 0-for-3