The Ottawa Senators And What About A ‘Hat Trick’?

Oct 15, 2013; Glendale, AZ, USA; Ottawa Senators center

Jason Spezza

(19) carries the puck as Phoenix Coyotes defenseman

Michael Stone

(26) defends during the second period at Jobing.com Arena. Mandatory Credit: Matt Kartozian-USA TODAY Sports

Quick – can you name the first player to score a hat trick, of the modern Ottawa Senators franchise?

The answer : Bob Kudelski

Kudleski played four and half seasons with the Los Angeles Kings, but was eventually traded to the Senators in December 1992. The hat trick moment happened January 10, 1993 against the San Jose Sharks. The game was at the Ottawa Civic Centre. The Senators went on to win 3-2 and Kudelski would score all three of his goals in the first period.

Next – can you name the last two players to net a hat trick for the Senators?

The answer: Jason Spezza and Jean-Gabriel Pageau.

Pageau would definitely have the most memorable games of the two. He became the hero during a wild Game 3 in the 2013 playoffs against the Montreal Canadiens.  The chant of ‘Pageau, Pageau, Pageau’ was born.

Spezza was the lone player to get three goals in one game during the Senators struggles this 2013-14 season. The game happened last October against the Phoenix Coyotes.

While the 2014 playoffs are buzzing nowadays – Evgeni Malkin and Wayne Simmonds have each netted hat tricks.

There was a question, I never gave much thought to – why is it called a ‘hat trick’? Fans toss hats onto the ice, when the three goals happen, but where did the phrase come from and why did someone come up with it?

Apparently, the origins for the first use of the term ‘hat trick’ doesn’t even come from hockey, it was a cricket match that happened in 1858. H.H Stephenson took three consecutive wickets –  meaning he hit three wooden stakes, three consecutive times. It was such an impressive feat, that a collection was held and Stephenson was presented with a hat from the proceeds.

However, the Hockey Hall of Fame recognizes the 1930’s story of Sammy Taft, where the term ‘hat trick’ becomes connected into hockey. Taft was a businessman in Toronto and had the trick of  giving a player a free hat, if they scored three goals in one NHL game in Toronto.

In a way, fans continue the act today with throwing their own hats on to the ice for the feat of three goals.

May 5, 2013; Ottawa, ON, CAN; Ottawa Senators centre

(44) knocks Montreal Canadiens centre

(51) off the puck on a face-off in the third period in game three of the first round of the 2013 Stanley Cup playoffs at Scotiabank Place. The Senators defeated the Canadiens 5-1. Mandatory Credit: Marc DesRosiers-USA TODAY Sports