The Austin Bruins and Bismarck Bobcats have dominated the NAHL Central Division for the past five years, and the two teams are once again set to square off with a trip to the Robertson Cup on the line.

Austin and Bismarck have met in four of the last five NAHL Central Finals, with Austin winning the last two match ups. Now, the Bruins and Bobcats will begin another big five-game series at 7:15 p.m. this Friday and Saturday at Bismarck. The winner of the Central Finals will be one of the last four NAHL teams standing and it will play in the Robertson Cup.

Each team won its semifinal series in four games, and the Bruins and Bobcats each won four games during the teams’ eight regular season meetings. The Bruins are hoping to get back to the Robertson Cup for the third straight season.

“It’s been our goal the whole year. You play to win and you hope to make a run at the playoffs. We’re excited,” Austin head coach Kyle Grabowski said.

Austin has relied on the goaltending of Kris Carlson to get this far and the Bruins are likely to lean on their goalie against Bismarck. Carlson said the young Bruins squad shook off the nerves in the first round and now they’re ready to embrace the playoffs.

“It’s a great experience,” he said. “We’ve got a great group of guys and everyone’s buying in and working together.”

Austin has received its scoring from Jade Miller, who had nine points in the four games against Minot, and Jacob Paganelli, who had six points in four games against Minot.

Like Minot, Bismarck has an explosive offense, but it also has one of the best defenses in the NAHL. Grabowski is hoping his team can lock down and play well.

“I think guys have shown the ability to react to different situations,” Grabowski said. “We have a lot of smart hockey players.”

Games three and four of the series are scheduled to be played 7:05 p.m. May 6 and May 7 in Riverside Arena. Game five would be in Bismarck 7:15 p.m. May 9 if it necessary.