The Pre-Game
Hockey’s ‘hat trick’ traces roots to cricket
The first hat trick actually took place in a cricket match. In 1858, bowler H.H. Stephenson, playing for an all-England Cricket squad against a team from Hallam, South Yorkshire, took three consecutive wickets at Hyde Park Cricket Grounds in Sheffield — meaning that he hit the wooden stakes behind the batter three consecutive times. A collection was taken up and used to buy a hat that was presented to Stephenson in recognition of his accomplishment.
A hat trick as hockey fans know it comes when a player scores three goals in a game, usually earning him a cascade of hats thrown onto the ice by fans (especially if the player is on the home team). A natural hat trick is when a player scores three consecutive goals in a game.
But there are conflicting stories as to how the term became popularized in professional hockey.
Though “hat trick” was used in some newspapers during the 1930s and early 1940s to describe a player scoring three goals in a game, the Hockey Hall of Fame says the genesis of the term came when a Toronto businessman named Sammy Taft promoted his business by offering a hat to any player who scored three goals during an NHL game in Toronto.
Alex Kaleta, a speedy forward with the Chicago Black Hawks (two words at the time), went into Taft’s shop on Jan. 26, 1946, and took a liking to a fedora but, the story goes, he didn’t have enough money to buy it. Taft offered Kaleta the hat for free if Kaleta scored three goals that night against the Toronto Maple Leafs.
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GAME DAY REPORT
Last Games: The Senators faced the Blue Jackets on December 1 and lost 4-2, extending their losing streak.
This Game: The Senators are looking to even up the series with a win tonight. They will also face the Blue Jackets once again on March 14th.
Statistically, both teams are at the bottom of their divisions. While the senators have been playing much better (6-2-2), the Blue Jackets have not been doing as well (3-6-1). Both teams are at the bottom of the league in goals allowed, while the Sens have the edge in goals for tied for 8th in the NHL to Columbus’s 23rd.
Blue Jackets
18-25-10
8h Metropolitan
L1
E. Merzlinkins
(9-11-7)
15.1(25th)
76.7 (26th)
2.9 (23rd)
3.67 (31st)
Matchup
Record
Standing
Streak
Goalie
(Expected)
PP (%)
PK (%)
Avg. Goals Scored
Avg. Goals Allowed
Senators
21-25-2
8th Atlantic
W3
J. Korpisalo
(13-16-2)
15.4 (24rd)
74.3 (28th)
3.38 (8th)
3.6 (30th)
Injury Report
Senators: Anton Forsberg – Groin (IR-LT), Travis Hamonic – Upper Body
Blue Jackets: Yegor Chinakhov – Upper Body, Adm Fantilli (Laceration), Patrik Laine (Personal Reasons)
Game recap – Feb 10 – sens vs. Maple Leafs
Sens Win Season Series With a 5-3 Win
In a strong effort the Senators managed to win their fourth and final meeting of the season with the Toronto Maple Leafs. Josh Norris scored his 13th of the season breaking a 15 month long scoreless streak. The game ended with emotions high as Ridley Greig Scored his 8th goal of the season by taking a large slap shot on an empty net. Toronto Maple Leaf Morgan Rielly crossed checked Grieg in the face along the boards getting him 5 min major and game misconduct.
Quick Sens Highlights:
- Claude Giroux scored his 16th of the season tying the game at 1 in the first period.
- Joonas Korpisalo earned the win making 32 saves on 35 shots for a 3.00 GA and .914 SV%.
- Shane Pinto scored 1 and added 2 assists to bring his season total to 7pts (3G, 4 A) in 7 games.
- The Senators were 0 -3 on the powerplay but also did not take any penalties against the Maple Leafs.
NHL Three Stars
⭐ Shane Pinto ⭐⭐ Auston Matthews ⭐⭐⭐ Claude Giroux
ON THIS DAY IN SENS HISTORY
⇄ Dion Phaneuf traded to LA for Marian Gaborik
In 2018, Marian Gaborik & Nick Shore were acquired from the Los Angeles Kings in exchange for defenceman Dion Phaneuf and forward Nate Thompson. As part of the transaction, the Senators retained 25% of Phaneuf’s remaining salary.
Dion Phaneuf started his career with Calgary in 2005 and played with the Flames for 5 years before being traded to the Toronto Maple Leafs in 2010. He played for Toronto from 2010 to 2016 when he was traded to the Ottawa Senators. With Ottawa, Phaneuf played 154 games, collecting 13 goals and 41 assists. After being traded to Los Angles, Phaneuf played an additional 93 games for 4 goals and 12 assists. On November 16, 2021, Phaneuf announced his retirement from professional hockey.
Marian Gaborik played 16 games with the Senators for 4 goals and 3 assists. He was traded to Tampa Bay by Ottawa along with Anders Nilsson for Braydon Coburn, Cedric Paquette and a 2nd-round pick in the 2022 NHL Draft on December 27, 2020. Keep an eye on Cedric Paquette as he’s also in the next story!
⇄ Ryan Dzingel rejoins Senators via trade
In 2021, Ryan Dzingel was acquired from the Carolina Hurricanes in exchange for Alex Galchenyuk and Cedric Paquette. This marked the second time Dzingel played for the Senators after being drafted by Ottawa in 2011 in the 7th-round, 204th overall. Dzingel made his debut with the Sens during the 2015-16 season and played with the club until being traded to Columbus in 2019 for Anthony Duclair.
After signing with Carolina as a free agent in July 2019, he was re-acquired by the Senators on this day, in 2021. His second foray with the Senators was short-lived, playing 29 games for 6 goals and 3 assists. He would later join the Coyotes and the San Jose Sharks after departing Ottawa.
What about Cedric Paquette? Yes, Cedric was traded twice on the same day, Feb 13, 2018 and on Feb 13, 2021. Paquette started his career with Tampa spending 7 years with the club before being traded to Ottawa where he played 9 games, collecting 1 goal. He was traded to Carolina and later played 24 games with the Montreal Canadiens.
by the numbers – jersey # 85
Jake Sanderson has proudly worn jersey #85 since his arrival last year with the Senators, but did you know that only one other Senator player has worn number #85?
This is another tough one but this former Sens played for the Senators during the 2018-19 season until the 2020-21 season. Can you guess who?
Check the By The Numbers page to see former players who proudly wore Senators jerseys and don’t forget to check our searchable table!
AROUND THE RINK
- Tarasenko ‘enjoying’ time with Sens, keeping open mind on future
- Sharks’ Hertl to have knee surgery, out at least ‘several weeks’
- Leafs’ Morgan Rielly to have in-person hearing with NHL Department of Safety
