The Austin Bruins clinched a trip to the NAHL Central Division finals when they finished off Minot with a 3-2 win in game four of the Central Division semifinals in Riverside Arena Saturday.

The Bruins won the series 3-1 and they will begin play in the Central Division Finals at Bismrack Friday and Saturday. It will be the fourth time in five years that Austin and Bismarck meet with a trip to the Robertson Cup on the line.

Austin took over Saturday’s game when Jade Miller and Paul OConnor scored second period goals to put the Bruins up 3-1.

Austin goalie Kristofer Carlson wrapped up a strong series by stopping 31 of the 33 shots he saw. Carlson started all four games of the NAHL Central semifnals as he racked up 179 saves, while allowing eight goals.

SCORING SUMMARY

Minot 1 0 1 – 2

Austin 1 2 0 – 3

First period

(A) Jacob Paganelli (Gilbert Gabor, Jade Miller) 10:09

(M) Jarden Brandt (power play) (Sam Fuss, Tyler Jeanson) 13:10

Second period

(A) Miller (Justin Misiak) 0:39

(A) Paul OConnor (Paganelli, Evan Cholak) 5:19

Third period

(M) Christian Mohs (Colton Berg) 19:15

Shots: Minot – 33; Austin – 24

Power plays: Austin – 0-for-3; Minot -1-for-3