BISMARCK, N.D. — The Bruins won their eighth straight game and knocked off the top team in the NAHL Central Division when they beat Bismarck 6-2 on the road Saturday.

Austin’s John Simonson and Chase McDonald each scored in an 11-second span near the end of the first period and Charlie Adams added a goal and two assists as the Bruins (32-15-1 overall) rolled past the Bobcats (41-10-2 overall).

Nicholas Lehr stopped 41 shots to pick up the in net for Austin.

The win keeps Austin just four points behind second place Alexandria in the Central Division as the Bruins have eight games remaining before the playoffs begin.

Austin will host Minot this Friday and Saturday at Riverside Arena.

SCORING SUMMARY

Austin 2 3 1 — 6

Bismarck 0 1 1 — 2

First period

(A) John Simonson (Chris Fischer) 17:39

(A) Chase McDonald (Charlie Adams) 17:50

Second period

(B) Shane Omdahl (Nicholas Miglio, Bryce Anderson) 4:45

(A) Jonathan Gehrt (Adams) 10:38

(A) Jeremy Finger (Michael Bond, Trevor Waldoch) 11:17

(A) Adams (AJ Reid, CJ Smith) 15:01

Third period

(B) Tyler Richter (Daniel Zawacki, Castan Sommer) 10:58

(A) Austin Nelson (Matt Hansen, Christian Folin) 13:33

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

Shots: Austin — 37; Bismarck — 43