The Austin Bruins moved within one win of their second straight Robertson Cup appearance when they beat Minot 4-1 in game three of the NAHL Central Division Finals on the road Friday.

The Bruins can advance to the Robertson Cup with a win over the Minotauros in Minot Saturday and if they can’t win that game. They will have a chance to move with an elimination game in Austin Monday at 7:05 p.m.

The Bruins came out strong on Friday as Alex Pettersson and Josh Wilkins scored first period goals. Evan Smith held the Minotauros in check as he stopped 27 of the 28 shots he saw.

SCORING SUMMARY

Austin 2 0 2 — 4

Minot 0 0 1 — 1

First period

(A) Alex Pettersson (Jacob Kullberg, Ian Scheid) 10:32

(A) Josh Wilkins (Brian Bachnak) 11:36

Second period

No scoring

Third period

(A) Derek Olmschenk (power play) (Luke Dietsch, Trevor Boyd) 6:24

(M) Nate Pionk (power play) (John Snodgrass, Jacob Dittel) 13:13

(A) Nico Sturm (empty net) 18:24

Power plays: Austin — 1-for-4; Minot — 1-for-5

Shots: Austin — 33; Minot — 28