It was a night to remember for Calgary Flames fans, and for rookie Sam Bennett. The 19-year-old dominated the Florida Panthers with four goals, leading his team to a 6-0 win on Wednesday night. It was momentous for him, as he notched the first hat trick of his career, scoring three goals in the first period. The Flames led by four after just twenty minutes.
Bennett's first period hat trick was the first of any player this season, and has been the first since Jan. 18, 2014, when Tampa Bay's Martin St. Louis accomplished the feat against the San Jose Sharks, according to NHL.com.
His most spectacular goal though, was his fourth of the night, taking place in the third period, with 24 seconds left in the game.
Bennett also became the first Flames player to score four goals in a game since Jarome Iginla almost 13 years ago, on Feb. 23, 2003, according to the Canadian Press. He is also the youngest Flames player to score a hat trick.
To cap off his list of achievements on Wednesday, he also joined Sharks' player Tomas Hertl in a feat rookies usually only dream of: scoring four goals in a game.
.@NHLFlames' Sam Bennett is just 2nd rookie in past 16 seasons to score 4 goals in a game, joining Tomas Hertl (Oct. 8, 2013 vs. NYR w/ SJS)
— NHL Public Relations (@PR_NHL) January 14, 2016
The Panthers replaced starter Roberto Luongo with backup Al Montoya to start the second, after Luongo gave up four goals in the first. It helped the bleeding, but the Panthers' offense was not clicking.
The youngster Bennett now has 10 points and 9 assists in 42 games. Before his game against the Sharks on Monday, he had been going through an 18-game drought without a goal.
