Dufour Decides Game One of WCHA Semifinals With Hat Trick Performance

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Oct 11

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Box Score
Dufour Goal Call 1-0
Pohlkamp Goal Call 2-2
Dufour Goal Call 3-3
Dufour Overtime Goal Call 4-3

BEMIDJI, Minn. – The Bowling Green hockey program sealed a dramatic 4-3 overtime victory in game one of the Semifinal Round of the WCHA Playoffs as senior Kevin Dufour netted a hat trick and game-winning goal with just 2:37 remaining in the overtime action.

"I think the emotions are tired and happy, if we had lost it would have been deflating after putting so much effort into it, so I think the team feels good," Bowling Green hockey head coach Chris Bergeron said. "Now it's time to refocus on tomorrow and the game plan will stay the same. We will enjoy Friday's result and will get back to work for Saturday."

A native of Quebec City, Quebec, Dufour opened the scoring with his 15th of the season 9:08 into the game on a second effort rebound shot. With 5:51 remaining in the first period, the Beavers tied it up at 1-1 with a sneaky shot from a low angle, closing out the first stanza at an expected 1-1 standstill between the pair of competitive conference rivals.

4:45 into the second period, the Beavers saw its first lead of the night by going up 2-1 on the power play with a backhand shot to the top shelf. Bemidji State held the lead through the second period, although there were a number of chances for both teams. In quick succession, junior goaltender Chris Nell made major back-to-back saves before junior forward Mitch McLain swooped in for another, to keep the score 2-1 midway through the period, although the Falcons dominated the offensive zone time throughout the final minutes of the period.

The momentum rolled over into the third period, as senior Matt Pohlkamp tied the game up at 2-2 just 32 seconds in. Pohlkamp tallied his first point of the night as he picked up the puck in the corner and turned it around to find the back of the net with a shot taken near the left hashmarks.

Although Bemidji State capitalized on a Bowling Green line change less than a minute later to regain the lead by a 3-2 margin, Dufour was at the crease ready to tip in a wicked Jacob Dalton shot taken from the left point to tie the game back up at 3-3. Dufour's second of the night came with just 6:30 remaining in regulation, ultimately forcing the overtime action.

After a pair of coincidental penalties in the final seconds of regulation, the teams started out the extra hockey with 1:19 taking place with 4-on-4 play. The Falcons had a close call just over three minutes into the OT, but the Bemidji State net was knocked off before the puck was able to cross the goal line.

When the teams crossed the midpoint of the overtime, the Falcons were outshooting the Beavers by a 6-1 margin, and it wasn't until 2:37 remained on the clock that Dufour was able to decide the first game of the semifinals. Dufour was quick to pick up an Adam Smith rebound that bounced off the back boards, and was able to tuck the puck in the back door to seal his hat trick performance.

After netting his first career hat trick in the final weekend of the regular season, Dufour has now tallied three goals in a game twice in a three-week span. Tonight, Pohlkamp ultimately tallied two points on the night with a goal in addition to marking the assist on Dufour's game-tying goal, while Dufour tallied the three goals for his fourth multi-goal night of the season. Pohlkamp is currently on a three-game point streak and has tallied eight points in the three game span. Junior goaltender Chris Nell also tallied a career-high of 45 saves, including a game-high of 15 in the third period of action.

"It was a good night for the seniors, in particular Dufour, Pohlkamp and Walker. Those three had good nights and have played well dating back to Mercyhurst," added Coach Bergeron. "The seniors have done an outstanding job and we have said before that we will only go as far as the seniors will take us."

On the night, although Bowling Green was outshot in regulation by a 41-23 margin, the Falcons came back in the overtime to outshoot the Beavers 11-7. Bowling Green is now on a six-game win streak, and earned its 20th win of the season for the third consecutive year.

The second game in the best-of-three series will begin tomorrow in a 7:07 p.m. central time, 8:07 p.m. eastern time puck drop.

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