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

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

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.”

Joel Kiviranta will NEVER forget this game. #GoStars | @DallasStars pic.twitter.com/Twq6cMymym

— #StanleyCup Playoffs on NBC (@NHLonNBCSports) September 4, 2020

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

INSANITY!!!!#GoStars answer within 10 seconds of the Avalanche taking the lead. #StanleyCup pic.twitter.com/bCl4puQp4H

— #StanleyCup Playoffs on NBC (@NHLonNBCSports) September 4, 2020

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

OHHHHH BABY! #GoStars tie it up. Game 7s are fun. @DallasStars | #StanleyCup pic.twitter.com/fpFWlUXTil

— #StanleyCup Playoffs on NBC (@NHLonNBCSports) September 4, 2020

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

Joel Kiviranta of the @DallasStars is the seventh player in NHL history – and the only rookie among that cohort – to score a hat trick in a #Game7. #NHLStats #StanleyCup pic.twitter.com/lFrbFCQFY2

— NHL Public Relations (@PR_NHL) September 4, 2020

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

DYK? @DallasStars are the first team in NHL history to feature multiple rookies with a hat trick in a playoff year (Joel Kiviranta in #Game7 of R2 & Denis Gurianov in Game 6 of R1). #NHLStats #StanleyCup pic.twitter.com/rIUhmv2V6n

— NHL Public Relations (@PR_NHL) September 4, 2020

Insane stuff.

Screenshot courtesy of NBC Sports