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Vigar scores first career hat trick, Flames 5-2 Islanders – Winnipeg Free Press

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NEW YORK (AP) – Mackenzie Vigar recorded his first career hat trick to lead the Calgary Flames to a 5-2 win over the New York Islanders on Saturday.

Jonathan Huberdeau and Blake Coleman also scored to help Calgary extend their season winning streak to four games. Jacob Markstrom finished with 35 saves and also recorded an assist in the third game of a four-game road trip that began the second half of the season after the NHL All-Star break.

“It was a complete game for us again until the last seven or eight minutes of the third period,” Flames coach Ryan Huska said. “We had different contributions from different people, so that was a big thing. … They're a tough team, if you get behind them, they make it hard for you to get back into games, so it was great to get the first goal.”

New York Islanders' Cal Clutterbuck, left, and Calgary Flames' Jacob Pelletier, right, during the second period of an NHL hockey game, Saturday, Feb. 10, 2024, in New York. (AP Photo/Bebeto Matthews)
New York Islanders' Cal Clutterbuck, left, and Calgary Flames' Jacob Pelletier, right, during the second period of an NHL hockey game, Saturday, Feb. 10, 2024, in New York. (AP Photo/Bebeto Matthews)

Semyon Varlamov made 19 saves in his 600th NHL game, but the Isles' short two-game winning streak was snapped. New York's goals were scored by Brock Nelson and Jean-Gabriel Pageau.

Vigar opened the scoring at 3:47 of the first period with a soft wrist shot from the right circle that went past Varlamov's blocker.

The 30-year-old defenseman scored his second goal of the night to give Calgary a 3-0 lead at 15:16 of the second period. The Isles lost track of Vigar and he blasted a one-timer from the high slot. Assisted by Jacob Pelletier and Walker Duer.

Nelson pulled the Isles within two goals early in the third period. Matt Martin tested the Flames goalie and Nelson's wrist shot from inside the blue line spoiled Markstrom's shutout bid.

“We found ourselves in a hole and a little late in the third, when we started to find it and get more time and opportunities in the zone,” Nelson said. “It was weird at first, we didn't feel like we were giving up a ton, but we found ourselves with a little bit of possession.”

Huberdeau scored a power play goal midway through the second period to give Calgary a 2-0 lead. Yegor Šarangović's one-time shot from the top of the face-off circle on the right bounced off Huberdeau's hand.

“We didn't panic, we stuck to our game plan,” Huberdeau said. “Another game, Markstrom was great for us. It's easier to play in front of a goalkeeper who is making a lot of key saves. Everything worked, everything is going again, it's good to see.”

New York Islanders goaltender Semyon Varlamov takes a drink during halftime of an NHL hockey game against the Calgary Flames, Saturday, Feb. 10, 2024, in New York. (AP Photo/Bebeto Matthews)
New York Islanders goaltender Semyon Varlamov takes a drink during halftime of an NHL hockey game against the Calgary Flames, Saturday, Feb. 10, 2024, in New York. (AP Photo/Bebeto Matthews)

Coleman added an empty net goal at 15:59 of the third period that extended the Flames lead to 4-1.

Paige scored his seventh goal of the season at 17:28 of the third period.

Wigar completed the scoring and completed his hat trick with an empty net goal in the final minute of the game.

“I never thought I'd score a hat trick in the NHL,” Vigar said. “Of course, I thank my teammates. We just played some great hockey. … It was a great night for everyone.”