Anaheim Ducks’ Forward Achieves Historic Double Feat in NHL Home Opener Showdown against Carolina Hurricanes

The 2023-24 season of the NHL is witnessing an unprecedented mammoth start. Fans are feeling blessed with almost every match and every movement of the hockey stick. This time, a 29-year-old Anaheim Ducks’ forward detonated on top of the opposition, as he helped his team to a staunch win.

Frank Vatrano plays the right-wing forward position for the Anaheim Ducks. He breathed fire against the Carolina Hurricanes, who failed to stop his heavy offensive onslaught. Interestingly, Vatrano didn’t just score a solid hat-trick against the Hurricanes, he also achieved another major feat in the home opener of the Ducks.

Frank Vatrano flaunts his offensive dexterity in NHL home opener

Frank Vatrano delivered one of his best career performances on 15th October 2023 against the Carolina Hurricanes. Vatrano had scored zero goals in his previous match against the Vegas Golden Knights, which the Ducks badly lost. However, the 29-year-old fired on all cylinders on Sunday, as he scored a magnificent hat-trick against the Hurricanes. The official Instagram handle of the NHL uploaded videos of Vatrano’s fiery goals that glided his side to a grand win.

The post carried the caption, “@frank_vatrano becomes the first player in @anaheimducks franchise history to record a hat trick in a home opener!” This first-ever home-opening hat-trick by Vatrano was the fourth in his career, and it came at a very crucial time. The Hurricanes had put up a great fight against the Ducks and scored four goals. However, while four goals were enough to beat them last time, the Ducks responded with seven goals this time.

Vatrano’s performance was what made the difference between a potential loss, and a massive victory. Speaking to the media after the match, he said that a hat-trick is futile unless the match is won. The stellar victory continued the home-opener winning streak of the Ducks, with eight wins. While Vatrano won the stands over with his performance, a similar feat was recently performed by Toronto’s Auston Matthews. In fact, Matthews scored two back-to-back hat-tricks for his home side.

2016’s first-overall pick displays electrifying performance

Toronto Maple Leaf Auston Matthews has started this NHL season with a mighty bang. The 1st overall pick of 2016 stunned everyone as he launched two back-to-back hat-tricks in season-opening matches. Matthews’s insane room-making and sharpshooting skills stupefied the opposition and teammates alike. In fact, even gaming giant EA Sports was impressed by his performance. This marked the eighth and ninth career hat trick for Matthews. Interestingly, Matthews is the fifth person in the history of the NHL to have ever scored consecutive triple goals. 

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Moreover, he is the only player after Alex Ovechkin to have scored consecutive triples in the last 100 years. While the 1st overall pick of 2016 has nine hat-tricks in his pocket, the undrafted Vatrano now has four. The NHL fans will eagerly await a clash between the two this season when both players have had a strong start. Will Frank Vatrano and Auston Matthew be able to recreate their magic when they face each other?

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