Luc Bydal's hat trick leads Anchorage Wolverines to playoff win
Apr. 18—Luc Bydal was a one-man wrecking crew in the Anchorage Wolverines' 3-2 win over the Minnesota Wilderness on Friday, pushing Anchorage to a postseason win. Bydal notched a hat trick, scoring all three of Anchorage's goals in the opening-round North American Hockey League playoff series in Cloquet, Minnesota.
The win gives Anchorage a 1-0 lead in the Midwest Division semifinal series. The two teams face off again Saturday at 4:15 p. m.
Alaska time in the best-of-five series. Bydal opened the festivities with a goal just 78 seconds into Friday's game. Minnesota's Talan Blanck tied the game 10 minutes later at 1-1.
That tie held until late in the second period when Bydal scored to give Anchorage a 2-1 lead at the 5:23 mark. All three of Bydal's goals were unassisted, and he gave Anchorage a 3-1 lead, scoring a goal with 11:16 remaining in the third period. Minnesota's Avery Anderson scored with 12 seconds remaining to cut the final margin to 3-2.
Anchorage's Kai Weigel finished with 28 saves in earning the win. Minnesota goalie Ryan Gerlich made 27 saves. Saturday's game can be viewed locally via nahltv.