For the fourth time this season, giant size forward Tage Thompson scored a hat trick on Thursday at Amalie Arena. He led the Buffalo Sabers to a 6-5 overtime win over the Tampa Bay Lightning.
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The 25-year-old American netted his 37th, 38th and 39th of the campaign, securing his third hat-trick away from home in 2022-23. He also eclipsed his mark of 38 goals, which he established in 78 games last season.
Thompson began his demolition work in the second period, on the power play. A precise relay from Jeff Skinner during a two-on-one run allowed him to open his counter.
Just 2:44 minutes later, the $9 million man once again spotted his huge linemate, sending him on a breakaway. Thompson gave Andrei Vasilevskiy, who was unrecognizable in front of the Bolts’ cage, no chance.
Finally, in the third period, the St. Louis Blues first-round pick once again mocked the breakaway Russian keeper, slipping the disc between his pads after a fine maneuver to make it 5-3.
Goals from Anthony Cirelli and Ross Colton, however, forced extra time.
It was none other than Ilya Lyubushkin who played the heroes in overtime, seconds after taking advantage of leniency from the officials when he snagged Steven Stamkos on the Sabers blue line. The Russian defender thus scored his first goal since April 24, 2022.
Zemgus Girgensons and Jack Quinn also blacked out the Sabers’ scoresheet.
Stamkos, Victor Hedman and Brayden Point added their two cents for the Lightning.