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Sam Bennett nets four goals as Flames light up Panthers

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Derek Leung

Sam Bennett joined elite company within the Calgary Flames organization on Wednesday.

The 19-year-old rookie forward scored four goals -- three of those were in the first period for the first hat trick of his career -- as the Flames thumped the Florida Panthers by a final score of 6-0.

It was over early. The Panthers, who had their winning streak snapped at 12 games earlier this week and currently on a six-game road trip, trailed by four goals after the opening period. They produced only 15 shots on net all game.

Roberto Luongo, who had been playing lights out for Florida over its impressive run of wins, was pulled after the first period.

Meanwhile, Bennett became the first Flames player to score four goals in a game since Jarome Iginla accomplished the feat back in 2003, as per the NHL. He saved his best for his last goal of the night, as he dangled Alex Petrovic then beat Al Montoya with the backhand shot.

So much for that 18-game scoring drought Bennett recently snapped.

“I think it’s big for my confidence. I mean, I knew I felt confident playing in this league. And now, I think I took another step in the right direction,” he said, as per the Calgary Sun.