Even though his first career hat-trick came within a stone's throw of his hometown, it was only worth two hats for Mason Raymond.
The Vancouver Canucks forward wasn't disappointed.
"I was bugging Henrik (Sedin) because I know he got one in Colorado and there wasn't that many. I hope they were my family's," Raymond said.
The third-year NHLer from Cochrane notched a natural hat-trick to pace the Canucks to a 5-1 drubbing of the Flames last night at the Saddledome.
Raymond, who scored 11 goals last season, now has 17 in this campaign.
His second of the game was certainly one he won't forget.
Raymond flipped a shot from centre ice Flames goalie Miikka Kiprusoff simply didn't notice until it banked off his shoulder and into the net.
"I knew when it was in mid-air Kipper didn't see it. He was kind of looking around and I thought to myself, 'This has got a chance.' And sure enough, it bounced down," he said. "I still don't know exactly how it went in. It bounced in, and I'll take those ones.
"It's funny ... you watch guys that dump it in, and it hits the glass and goes in. I've always said it would be nice to get one of those."
His other goals were great plays, though. His first tally was a case of using his speed to zip past Flames defenceman Dion Phaneuf before re-directing Mikael Samuelsson's pass, and the third goal was a powerplay one-timer from Ryan Kesler's cross-ice pass.
"It's something I will always remember," Raymond said. "To do it in front of family and friends is something special. My mom and dad were here, my grandma and grandpa and a bunch of buddies. And I know a bunch were watching back home."
"It's something I will remember and cherish, for sure. This was a big night for myself and the club."
