Vigar scored his first career hat trick as the Flames beat the Islanders 5-2

Mackenzie Vigar scored three goals to lead the Calgary Flames to a 5-2 victory over the New York Islanders on Saturday afternoon in Elmont, N.Y.

Jacob Markstrom shut the door in the first two periods, allowing the Flames to take a 3-0 lead on a pair of goals by Wigar and a single by Jonathan Huberdeau.

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February 10, 2024

After Brock Nelson cut the deficit to 3-1, Islanders coach Semen Varlamov pulled goaltender with four minutes left, and the Islanders were on a power play thanks to too many penalties by the Flames.

The move backfired as Blake Coleman scored to make it 4-1.

“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 went again, and it was good.”

After Jean-Gabriel Pageau cut the deficit to 4-2, Vigar tied it with his third goal of the game with less than a minute to play.

“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.”

It was Wigar's first career hat trick.

“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.”

The Isles beat the Flames 34-22.

The victory was the fourth victory in a row for the Flames.

Next up is Monday night's game against the Rangers at Madison Square Garden.

With Associated Press files