Tyler Johnson snuffed out any chance of a Colorado Avalanche comeback, and did so by recording his first ever hat trick in the National Hockey League.
Johnson, who stands only five-foot-nine-inches tall, opened the scoring in a wild second period, then scored two goals just two minutes and 17 seconds apart in the third to help the Tampa Bay Lightning to a 5-2 win over the visiting Avalanche on Saturday.
Avalanche goalie Sami Aittokallio was making just his second NHL appearance. He was pulled after the second period, allowing three goals on 18 shots. It continued a trend of difficulty for goalies on this night. Sergei Bobrovsky was pulled in the Columbus Blue Jackets’ loss to Buffalo, while James Reimer and Carey Price were each given the hook in their respective games, as well.