Necas’ First Career Hat Trick Highlights Recent Hot Stretch For Hurricanes

The Carolina Hurricanes started their post-All Star break schedule with a 3-2 loss to the Vancouver Canucks, who lead the entire NHL with 74 points. This wasn’t too concerning, given the quality of opponent Carolina played and close score.

What the Canes did in their next game – specifically what star center Martin Nečas did – was the perfect rebound.

Nečas scored a hat trick, with all three goals coming in the first period, during Carolina’s 5-2 home win over the slumping Colorado Avalanche on Thursday, Feb. 8. This was his first career hat trick, which moved him into a tie for second on the Canes with 16 goals (Seth Jarvis).

Nečas’ first goal came when he skated alone into Colorado’s zone – just under two minutes in. He wristed a shot towards Avalanche goalie Alexander Georgiev, with the puck dribbling behind him into the net.

Goal number two came almost five minutes later on a delayed penalty, when Nečas put a one-timer home from teammate Brent Burns. To cap off his hat trick, Nečas scored on another one-timer in front of a wide open net – with three minutes to go in the opening period.

Nečas’ huge night was nearly spoiled by a defensive letdown, with Colorado scoring twice before the period ended.

Saturday’s game wasn’t nearly as high-scoring, but it resulted in a Canes victory.

Sebastian Aho, Carolina’s lone All-Star, scored the game’s lone goal in overtime when batting Nečas’ rebound out of mid-air.

The Canes now embark on a 3-game road trip, heading to Dallas, Arizona and Las Vegas. Hopefully they’ll return home next Monday with three wins.