Bowling Green State University Athletics
Dufour and Nell Awarded WCHA Players of the Week Accolades
February 26, 2017 | Ice Hockey
Original Release
EDINA, Minn. – After sweeping Alabama Huntsville by a combined score of 9-0, two Falcons from the Bowling Green hockey program have been awarded Western Collegiate Hockey Association Player of the Week honors. Senior Kevin Dufour earned his fourth career Offensive Player of the Week award, while junior goaltender Chris Nell was named Defensive Player of the Week for the second time in his career.
On Friday night, Dufour fueled the Falcons 7-0 shutout of Alabama Huntsville with three goals and one assist. The night marked Dufour's first career hat trick, as well as a career-high four point night. Dufour's first goal came at even strength and was eventually the game-winner, while his second goal landed the number four spot on SportCenter's Top 10 Plays of the Night. With the goals, the Falcons were able to close out the first period with a 2-0 lead, while Dufour completed the hat trick 6:54 into the third period on the power play. It was one of the Falcons four power play goals of the game, while the hat trick was the first at home for Bowling Green since Nov. 26, 2013 (Mark Cooper vs. Minnesota State). On the weekend, Dufour had three goals, one assist, four points, six shots and a +3 series.
Defensively, Nell marked his third consecutive shutout on Saturday night against Alabama Huntsville to lift the Falcons to a weekend sweep and earn home ice advantage for the first round of the WCHA Playoffs. A native of Green Bay, Wis., Nell shutout UAH the whole weekend, and set a school record in an active 207:31 shutout streak, in addition to tallying a season-high of 38 saves on Saturday night. Over the course of the series, Nell marked a 71 save weekend, a best for the season by 20, leading the Falcons to its first full weekend shutout in school history. Additionally, Nell was critical in Saturday night's game as he made 12 saves throughout Alabama Huntsville's 12 power play opportunities. This season, Nell also accounts for four shutouts, upping his career total to a program-leading 11.
The Bowling Green hockey program will begin WCHA Playoffs this weekend as it hosts Ferris State for the First Round Playoffs. The pair of conference foes will face off Friday, March 3, Saturday, March 4 and Sunday, March 5 if necessary. All games are set for a 7:07 p.m. puck drop and tickets can be purchased at: http://www.bgsufalcons.com/buytickets
Players Mentioned
BG Hockey Postgame 3.6
Saturday, March 07
BG Hockey Press Conference : CCHA QuarterFinals
Tuesday, March 03
BG Hockey Press Conference 2.23
Tuesday, February 24
BG Hockey Postgame 2.21
Sunday, February 22