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Joel Kiviranta sends Dallas Stars to Western Conference Final after completing hat trick in overtime of Game 7

By Ian Oland

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September 4, 2020 7:45 pm

Rookie Joel Kiviranta scored a hat trick, including the game-tying and game-winning goals, to send the Dallas Stars to the Western Conference Final for the first time in 12 years.

Kiviranta’s game-winner came 7:24 into overtime of Game Seven after Andrej Sekera found him wide open in front of the net for a one-timer.

The Stars mobbed Kiviranta in the corner as they celebrated the stunning 5-4 victory. Colorado outshot Dallas 44-36.

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“This is a moment that you dream about when you’re a young kid and today was the day I played the first Game Seven of my life,” Kiviranta said. “I didn’t know what to expect but it was just a normal hockey game for me.”

Kiviranta’s clutch game-tying tally came 10 seconds after Vladislav Namestnikov gave the Avalanche a 4-3 lead late in the third period.

He also scored on a deflection in the second period to tie the game 2-2.

According to the NHL’s PR, Kiviranta is the first rookie in NHL history to score a hat trick in a Game Seven.

The Stars are also the first team in NHL history to have multiple rookies score a hat trick in the same playoff year.

Insane stuff.

Screenshot courtesy of NBC Sports

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