- Tage Thompson scored a natural hat trick and added two assists in Buffalo’s 7-6 win over the Ducks
- Two of his goals came 15 seconds apart late in the second period
- Read below for the video of the burst and how Anaheim nearly came all the way back
Tage Thompson had himself a night in Anaheim.
The Sabres center scored a natural hat trick and added two assists in Thursday’s 7-6 win over the Ducks, including two goals in 15 seconds late in the second period.
Thompson tied the game 3-3 at 15:32 of the first period. He struck twice more at 18:36 and 18:51 of the second to put Buffalo up 5-3. Check out both goals:
The broadcast flashed a 31st career multi-goal game on the second one. The third made it a hat trick, and no other player scored between his first goal and his last.
| Thompson goal | Score | Assists |
|---|---|---|
| 1st, 15:32 | 3-3 | Zach Benson, Peyton Krebs |
| 2nd, 18:36 | 4-3 | Peyton Krebs |
| 2nd, 18:51 | 5-3 | Peyton Krebs, Rasmus Dahlin |
Thompson picked up his two assists on power-play goals. Noah Ostlund scored in the first with help from Benson and Thompson, and Jack Quinn opened the third with help from Dahlin and Thompson.
Thompson’s line did most of the damage. Benson had a goal and two assists, Krebs finished with three assists, and the trio combined for 11 points.
Buffalo led 7-3 early in the third, and Anaheim made it uncomfortable. Cutter Gauthier scored his second of the night, then Luneau and Sennecke scored with 68 and 31 seconds left to make it 7-6. Colten Ellis finished with 29 saves on 35 shots.
The win moved the Sabres to 6-4-3. It also gave Buffalo something to talk about besides the Dylan Larkin trade chatter that has included their name.
Thompson now has eight goals and 15 points in 13 games.
