Article content material
Perhaps Jacob Markstrom ought to ask MacKenzie Weegar for a couple of ideas.
Weegar, in spite of everything, had scored extra targets than some other defenceman within the NHL by the point the Calgary Flames (25-22-5) had put the ending touches on a 5-2 win over the host New York Islanders (22-18-12) on Saturday afternoon, together with his first profession hat-trick brining his season complete to fifteen.
Article content material
And late within the sport at UBS Enviornment, with the Flames up three and the Islanders’ internet empty, Markstrom tried to get in on the goal-scoring motion himself.
Article content material
Twice, the Flames goaltender collected the puck and seemingly tried to fireplace it down ice.
The puck didn’t get out of the Flames’ zone on both try and his second attempt truly led to an Islanders purpose that made it 4-2, however you couldn’t fault Markstrom for capturing when the sport was already in hand.
“Twice in a single sport and neither certainly one of them made it previous the hashmarks, so I ought to work on some wrist curls or simply keep within the internet,” Markstrom instructed reporters post-game with an enormous smile. “Up by three they usually pull the goalie. If there was a time to attempt to shoot it, it was immediately. Ended up behind the (Flames’) internet, so I’ll be extra cautious.”
Whereas he’ll most likely go away the goal-scoring to Weegar sooner or later, you get the sensation no one goes to be too upset with Markstrom for his flight of fancy. He’s been completely wonderful just lately and was nice once more on Saturday, stopping 34-of-36 photographs.
And so, too, was Weegar.
He registered the primary hat-trick by a Flames defenceman since Nikita Zadorov in final yr’s season finale and continued placing collectively an outstanding sophomore season with the Flames.
Article content material
In response to Sportsnet Stats, he’s the primary Flames defenceman to attain three in a sport on the highway since Barry Gibbs did it when the franchise was primarily based in Atlanta and he picked up a hat-trick in opposition to the New York Rangers on Dec. 31, 1975.
Do not forget that final season after being acquired from the Florida Panthers in the summertime, Weegar didn’t rating his first purpose till Dec. 31.
This yr, he’s one purpose away from doubling his earlier career-high in targets for a season.
“I by no means would have thought I’d have a hat-trick within the NHL, credit score to my teammates in fact,” Weegar instructed reporters post-game. “I don’t suppose I’ve ever had one. I bear in mind possibly some two-goal video games, however I don’t suppose I’ve ever gotten a hat-trick earlier than. Perhaps Timbits (hockey), however I don’t even bear in mind it.”
The Flames have now received 4 straight video games, together with three since first-line centre Elias Lindholm was traded to the Vancouver Canucks. If that was speculated to sign the tip of their playoff hopes, the Flames didn’t get the message.
On their three-game road-trip for the reason that all-star break, the Flames have outscored their opponents 14-6. These foes aren’t pushovers, both. The Flames have crushed the Boston Bruins, New Jersey Devils and now the Islanders. If they’ll beat the New York Rangers on Monday night, this may have been the workforce’s finest road-trip in current reminiscence.
And it’s stored them within the playoff hunt, too.
Whereas the groups round them had video games to play on Saturday night, the Flames discovered themselves just one level again of the wild-card positions when the ultimate buzzer sounded earlier within the day.
Whether or not it’s Weegar or Jonathan Huberdeau or Blake Coleman — each of whom additionally scored on Saturday — and even Markstrom, the Flames are getting what they should keep within the struggle.
It’s greater than most anticipated per week in the past.
Share this text in your social community