Colorado Avalanche: Saying Goodbye to the 2014-15 Season
Nathan MacKinnon‘s Hat Trick
Feb 22, 2015; Denver, CO, USA; Colorado Avalanche center Nathan MacKinnon (29) (center) reacts to his hat trick goal in the second period against the Tampa Bay Lightning at the Pepsi Center. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports
Center Nathan MacKinnon had a rough season after having won the Calder Trophy as rookie of the year last season. By the end, he was broken, bleeding and homeless. (Broken foot, broken nose and landlord Max Talbot traded to Boston — all in one week.)
However, just prior to that he had a career game — he recorded his first NHL hat trick. He scored the hattie at home on February 22, 2014, against the Tampa Bay Lightning. And, oh, the cascade of hats!
One of my favorites from that night, MacKinnon’s later quote”
"“I asked [O’Reilly] if the puck was already going in. He said he didn’t know, but I tipped it anyway.”"
I just love the youthful exuberance of that quote.