Avalanche report: Hat trick history

Jake Barber found a great way to open up his second North American Hockey League season. The Alaska Avalanche notched a hat trick last week during a 5-2 win over Kenai River at the Palmer Ice Arena.

Barber’s hat trick got me thinking. How many have their been in Alaska Avalanche franchise history? I’ve covered this team from the beginning, so I knew there weren’t many. I thought, maybe five?

After a little bit of research, I figured out I was pretty darn close. Barber is actually the sixth player in franchise jersey to net three goals in a game. Five have scored the hat trick while wearing the Avalanche sweater.

Andy Sternberg was the first player for the Valley-based organization to score three goals in a game. Sternberg accomplished the feat as a member of the Wasilla Spirit, the name of the team before the moniker was changed to Avalanche.

Two of the hat tricks came last season and three have posted against the Brown Bears. Last year, Zach Smith and Nardo Nagtzaam celebrated their respective hat tricks just more than a month a part. It's also odd that four of the five hat tricks have come in September or October.

So there you go, a little Avs hat trick history for you. Impress your puck-loving friends with that one. You’ll be a hit at parties.

— Jeremiah Bartz

Avs hat trick history

Sept. 10, 2010 Jake Barber vs. Kenai River

Sept. 13, 2009 Zach Smith vs. Kenai River

Oct. 24, 2009 Nardo Nagtzaam vs. Kenai River

Oct. 13, 2007 Kent Detlefsen vs. Alexandria

Sept. 15, 2006 Brad McCabe vs. Marquette

Jan. 7, 2006 Andy Sternberg vs. Helena