BISMARCK, N.D. — The Austin Bruins dropped the first game of a five-game series to the Bobcats (49-14-2 overall) by a score of 6-3 in the NAHL Central Division Championship series in Bismarck, N.D. Friday.

The Bruins tied the game at 2-2 early in the second period when John Simonson scored a goal, but the Bobcats scored three goals in a 15-minute span to take back control.

Tyler Bruggeman stopped 39 of the 45 shots he saw in net for the Bruins (39-20-6 overall).

Austin and Bismarck will play game two in Bismarck Saturday at 7:15 p.m. and the series comes to Austin next Friday and Saturday with 7:05 p.m. start times.

SCORING SUMMARY

Austin 1 1 1 — 3

Bismarck 2 3 1 — 6

First period

(B) Tyler Richter (John Furgele, Patrick Moore) 5:12

(B) Castan Sommer (Tyler Richter, Francis DeAugustine) 6:43

(A) John Kirby (Jake Flynn) 8:53

Second period

(A) John Simonson (Chris Fischer) 2:18

(B) Sommer (powerplay) (Shane Omdahl, Richter) 3:35

(B) Furgele (Richter, DeAugustine) 11:57

(B) DeAugustine) (Richter, Daniel Kovar) 18:31

Third period

(B) Ryan Callahan (Nicholas Miglio, Danny Ray) 2:13

(A) Simonson (Flynn) 12:28

Powerplays: Austin — 1-for-2; Bismarck — 2-for-2

Shots: Austin — 31; Bismarck — 45