The Colorado Avalanche Season: Five Favorite Moments from 2014-15
Nathan MacKinnon‘s Hattie
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
Avalanche center Nathan MacKinnon did not have the sophomore year everyone wanted for him. He went through long stretches of time when he just couldn’t score. He was one of the few players shooting the puck, but they just weren’t going in for him.
That didn’t exactly change in February — except for one golden night against the Tampa Bay Lightning. MacKinnon scored three different ways to help the Avalanche take a commanding lead over the Lightning.
The goals — and all the hats — were great. (See below.) I loved his giddiness afterwards though, when he spoke with Altitude TV’s Julie Browman, laughing that he didn’t think linemate Ryan O’Reilly expected him to tip in the second goal, “But I tipped it anyway.”