With Another Hat Trick Performance, McLain Named WCHA Offensive Player of the Week

Original Release

EDINA, Minn. – After netting his second hat trick in three weeks, Bowling Green hockey's junior forward Mitch McLain was named Western Collegiate Hockey Association Offensive Player of the Week. It is the Baxter, Minn. native's second consecutive award and fourth career Player of the Week accolade.

McLain highlighted Saturday night's 5-2 victory over Lake Superior State with three goals, making it his 11th career and fifth multi-point night of the season. McLain earned his second hat trick of the season, and marked a team-leading six shots on goal in addition to one blocked shot.

First, McLain capitalized on Connor McDonald's shot that fell off the glove of the Lakers goaltender, by swooping in and burying the puck into the upper left corner of the net to give Bowling Green the lead 1-0 midway through the first.

Although the Lakers then netted its first goal of the night 3:24 into the second, McLain was quick to respond for the Falcons just 2:13 later. The junior forward scored his second of the night and ninth of the season by flipping in a backhanded shot at the left post, which went off the back of the goaltender to regain the Falcons lead by a 2-1 mark.

The Falcons were then able to withstand over 3:00 of play as the Lakers had an extra skater with the goalie pulled. Junior Tyler Spezia picked up the puck at the Bowling Green blue line and took it out of the zone with McLain in a 2-on-1 offensive opportunity, with which McLain was able to place the puck in the net for the 5-2 final and hit his second hat trick of the season. The goal also came while the Lakers had a 6-on-4 advantage, earning McLain his second shorthanded goal of the season.

On the weekend, McLain had three goals, nine shots and two blocked shots. McLain's first career hat trick was just three weeks ago on Nov. 19 at Alabama Huntsville in an 8-3 win. Since then, McLain was named WCHA Offensive Player of the Week on Nov. 28, as well as WCHA Player of the Month on Dec. 1.

The Bowling Green hockey program will be back at home this weekend as they welcome conference foe Michigan Tech to the BGSU Ice Arena. The Friday and Saturday matchups are both set for 7:07 p.m. puck drops.

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