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Perhaps Jacob Markstrom ought to ask MacKenzie Weegar for a couple of suggestions.
Weegar, in spite of everything, had scored extra objectives than another 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, along with his first profession hat-trick brining his season complete to fifteen.
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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.
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Twice, the Flames goaltender collected the puck and seemingly tried to fireside it down ice.
The puck didn’t get out of the Flames’ zone on both try and his second attempt really led to an Islanders objective that made it 4-2, however you couldn’t fault Markstrom for taking pictures when the sport was already in hand.
“Twice in a single sport and neither one in every 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 a giant smile. “Up by three they usually pull the goalie. If there was a time to attempt to shoot it, it was at the moment. Ended up at the back of the (Flames’) internet, so I’ll be extra cautious.”
Whereas he’ll most likely depart 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 pictures.
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.
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In line with 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 based mostly 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 objective till Dec. 31.
This yr, he’s one objective away from doubling his earlier career-high in objectives 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 assume I’ve ever had one. I keep in mind possibly some two-goal video games, however I don’t assume I’ve ever gotten a hat-trick earlier than. Perhaps Timbits (hockey), however I don’t even keep in mind it.”
The Flames have now gained 4 straight video games, together with three since first-line centre Elias Lindholm was traded to the Vancouver Canucks. If that was presupposed 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 greatest road-trip in latest reminiscence.
And it’s saved 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 every week in the past.
daustin@postmedia.com
www.twitter.com/DannyAustin_9
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