ANAHEIM, Calif. - CSUN is back in the West Coast Hockey Conference championship game for a record fifth straight season after beating San Diego Saturday 11-2.

     The Matadors bested Northern Arizona's streak of four straight championship game appearances from 2012-2015 and are hoping to earn a new record in championships on Sunday with a win over Loyola Marymount.

     CSUN jumped out to a 7-0 lead against the Toreros. Defenseman Zach Carnes led the way recording his third career hat trick.

     Carnes opened the scoring at 14:01. Quentin Abaya, Matt Bushton, Alex Marbach on the power play, Dante Thorn and Abaya gave CSUN a 6-0 lead heading into the dressing room.

     Geno Norraik made it 7-0 at 11:38 of the second period before Nikko Ebbole finally got USD on the board 28 seconds later. But Carnes and Norraik put the Matadors up eight at the break.

     Matt Hoover scored CSUN's tenth goal at 17:42 of the third in unusual fashion. The Matadors were killing a penalty when Bushton cleared the puck. It hit a Torero defenseman in their own zone and Hoover picked up the puck, skated in on a breakaway and scored. It was Hoover's fourth career shorthanded goal and his team leading third this season. Holden Fry scored USD's other goal before Carnes completed the hat trick at 9:06.

     Caleb Mead earned the victory by making 20 saves. Mead now has a record of 8-1-0-1 on the season.

     The season series between CSUN and LMU was very competitive. The Matadors won a shootout at home back on Oct. 25. Then just last weekend CSUN held on for a 2-1 victory. The Lions are back in the WCHC Final for the first time since 2013. Puck drop at Anaheim Ice is at 4:45 p.m.