BEMIDJI, Minn. (Sanford Center) -- Jay Dickman posted his second hat trick of the 2017-18 season, Kyle Bauman recorded four assists and Myles Fitzgerald netted the fifth multi-goal game of his career Friday to lead the Bemidji State University men's hockey team to a 5-1 victory over the University of Alaska-Anchorage.

The line of Dickman, Bauman and M. Fitzgerald combined for 10 of BSU's 13 points on the night with both Dickman and Bauman collecting four points to establish new career-highs. In addition, senior Carter Struthers added two assists, which also accounted for a career night for the defender.

The Beavers used the performance to gain their first Western Collegiate Hockey Association victory since Nov. 4 and improve to 6-6-5 overall and 3-4-4-2 in WCHA play.

The Beavers jumped out to a lead just 42 after the opening face off and would not look back.

M. Fitzgerald netted his fifth goal of the season with help from Tommy Muck and Bauman to get the Beavers on the board and Dickman would net goals at the 16:08 and 18:08 marks to send the Beavers into the first break with a 3-0 cushion.

Just as quickly as BSU found the back of the net to open the game, UAA cut the lead to 3-1, just 20 seconds into the second period on a Jarrett Brown goal.

Late in the second, Dickman would again find the back of the net, deflecting a shot from Struthers past Olivier Mantha for his third goal of the night and second collegiate hat trick. Following his three-goal night Nov. 11, he is the second player in the NCAA this seaosn to post two hat tricks and is the first BSU player since Brendan Cook to draw the BSU fans to throw their hats to the ice twice during the 2003-04 season.

The BSU lead would swell to 5-1 just 1:01 into the third period. The trio of Dickman, Bauman and M. Fitzgerald connected again, this time with M.Fitzgerald beating Mantha for his second goal of the evening.

Senior goaltender Michael Bitzer stopped 21 of the 22 shots he faced on the night, collecting his sixth victory of he season. He moves to 6-5-5 on the season.

The Beavers and Seawolves will meet again on the Sanford Center ice at 7:07 p.m. Saturday to complete the series.

--bsu--