Courtesy of NHL.com
Streaming technology makes it easy for fans to watch hockey games if they can’t make it to the arena, or don’t have a local team to cheer on. However, the NHL schedules certain teams to play only on certain days of the week, which can make it hard for fans with busy lifestyles to catch their favorite team playing. But fear no more as the NHL has solved this problem. For the second year in a row, the NHL brought back its infamous Frozen Frenzy on October 22. For one night each hockey season, all 32 teams play. That’s about eight hours of continuous hockey action, where fans have the chance to catch their favorite team (or all of the teams) hitting the ice. In the madness of this year's Frozen Frenzy, 98 total goals were scored and plenty of single day records were broken. Here are some of the top moments from the most intense night of hockey of the season.
Brandon Hagel’s Lightning-Fast Hat Trick
Courtesy of Jeff Curry/USA TODAY Sports
Tampa Bay Lightning left winger Brandon Hagel had the night of his life during the Lightning’s road trip game against the New Jersey Devils. The game itself was an offensive dog fight in which both teams were scoring left and right. Though multiple players from both teams had an excellent night, it was Hagel who was clearly the star of the show, by scoring the first natural hat trick of his career. For reference, a hat trick is where a particular player scores three goals during a game. A natural hat trick is where a player scores three goals in a row, which is a very rare feat. However, Hagel seemed to make it look easy, seamlessly scoring three goals during the second period. Now what makes his hat trick extra special? Hagel scored all three goals in under seven minutes, at 9:27, 13:01, and 15:52.
Capitals Extend Their Hot Streak
Courtesy of Chris Szagola (freelancer)/AP Photo
Though the Philadelphia Flyers and the Washington Capitals play each other often during the regular season, this year’s Frozen Frenzy matchup between the two metropolitan division teams was a special one. This game was hyped up by the media because it was the first time the arguably greatest Russian player of all time, Alexander Ovechkin, and the next Russian breakout superstar, Matvei Michkov, faced each other. However, the Russians had a relatively quiet night, as Capitals players Nic Dowd and Andrew Mangiapane stole the show by scoring short-handed goals on the penalty kill in the first period. It was the first time since March 2006 that the Capitals had scored multiple short-handed goals in a game, and the first time since March 2000 that they had scored multiple goals on the penalty kill in a period. Both of these goals, plus two more from John Carlson and Jakob Chychrun respectively, surged the Capitals ahead to secure their fourth straight win.
Minnesota Wild Obliterate Stanley Cup Champions
Courtesy of Brace Hemmelgarn/ USA TODAY Sports
Prior to the Frozen Frenzy game, the Minnesota Wild were riding a massive high. They were the only team in the NHL this season that had not lost, or even trailed, in regulation. However, they were to face their biggest challenge yet: the Florida Panthers, who are the reigning Stanley Cup Champions, in their home arena. The Wild came out hot and didn’t let the Panthers’ accolades stop them from dominating on the ice. Marco Rossi and Marcus Johansson opened up scoring for the Wild, each scoring 22 seconds apart. Matt Boldy, Joel Eriksson Ek, and Mats Zuccarello followed, each with their own goals and assists. Overall, the Wild were clearly dominant indeed, winning 5-1. This makes them the second NHL team in history to not trail in regulation through the first six games of the season.
Rangers Glide Past Canadiens in Only Original Six Matchup
Courtesy of Winslow Townson/USA TODAY Sports
Except gliding might be an understatement. More realistically the Rangers erupted past the Canadiens, scoring four goals within the first 11 minutes of regulation. Mika Zibanejad scored the first goal 54 seconds into the first period, with assists from Hart Trophy contender Artemi Panarin and defenseman Adam Fox. Just over a minute later, Jonny Brodzinski scored when left by himself in front of the Canadiens’ net. Then, Reilly Smith sniped the puck from Canadiens’ rookie Lane Hutson before scoring, while Filip Chytil followed with a power play goal. This is the first time in Rangers franchise history where the team has scored at least four goals in each of their first six games of a season, and the fourth NHL team in the past 30 years to accomplish the feat.
Though these are some of the special moments that went down at this year’s Frozen Frenzy, there were many more action-packed games across the league. For fanatics, there is certainly nothing better than a night where every NHL team hits the ice in head to head competition. Hopefully the NHL continues this tradition in the future!
Edited by Jenna Mandarano
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