What Is A Pure Hat Trick In Hockey?

A hat trick in hockey occurs when a player scores three goals in one game. It is quite difficult to do and players often are saluted by the fans in attendance when the third goal is scored. At that point, fans who are wearing hats -- wool caps, baseball hats, fedoras -- will throw them on the ice. A pure hat trick is even a greater accomplishment than simply scoring three goals in a game.

Pure Hat Trick

A pure hat trick, also called a natural hat trick, occurs when a hockey player scores three consecutive goals in a game. There are no goals by teammates or opponents as one player gets his name on the score sheet three consecutive times. It doesn't matter if the shots are long slap shots fired at 100 mph or better, or rebounds that are easy tap-ins because the goalie is out of position. The only thing that matters is that the player scores three goals in a row in one game.

Fastest Natural Hat Trick

The fastest natural hat trick took place in 1952 when winger Bill Mosienko of the Chicago Blackhawks scored three goals in 21 seconds against the New York Rangers. Mosienko's exploits started at the 6:09 mark of the third period of the season finale when he beat Ranger goalie Lorne Anderson with a low wrist shot. Right after the ensuing face off, Mosienko took a pass from center Gus Bodnar and went in alone and tucked the puck past Anderson for his second goal 11 seconds later. After the Blackhawks won the ensuing faceoff, the puck went to Chicago rookie George Gee, who skated at Anderson. The goalie committed to stopping Gee's shot, but that blast never came. Gee slid the puck to Mosienko, who tapped the puck into the unguarded cage.

Messier's Guarantee

The most significant natural hat trick might have taken place in the 1994 Stanley Cup playoffs. The New York Rangers trailed the New Jersey Devils three games to two and were in danger of getting knocked out of the playoffs in game six. Prior to the game, Ranger captain Mark Messier guaranteed that the Rangers would beat the Devils in game six. With the Rangers trailing 2-1, Messier scored three straight goals to rescue his team, and the Rangers won 4-2. They defeated the Devils in game seven to win the series and went on to defeat Vancouver in the Stanley Cup Finals to win their first league championship since 1940.

Hat Trick Records

Wayne Gretzky holds the NHL's all-time record with 50 games in which he scored three or more goals. Gretzky scored three goals in a game 10 times during the 1981-82 season and again in the 1983-84 season. Joe Malone scored hat tricks in three consecutive games in 1917-18, while former New York Islander Mike Bossy equaled that achievement in 1980-81.