On Oct 21,  1:41pm, Deron Treadwell wrote:
> So what is the definition of a "natural hat trick"?  Is it three
> goals in a row, regardless of period, three goals in succession in
> the same period, or is it just three goals in a period?
 
The definition I've heard, and the one I've always used myself, is:  three goals
scored in succession by one player, uninterrupted by scores from other players
on either team.  Thus, these two hypothetical hat tricks by Smith of Team A:
 
Period 1
     TEAM B  Franklin (Peters), 4:15
     TEAM A  Smith (Jones, McDonald), 7:30
     TEAM A  Smith (Jones), 17:50
 
Period 2
     no scoring
 
Period 3
     TEAM A  Smith, 5:25
     TEAM B  Robinson (Thompson), 6:45
 
Smith has a natural hat trick, regardless of the fact that the goals were not
scored in the same period.
 
Period 1
    TEAM A  Smith (Jones, McDonald), 7:30
    TEAM A  Smith (Jones), 10:50
    TEAM A  Jones (Smith, McDonald), 14:25
    TEAM A  Smith, 17:40
 
Not a natural hat trick.  Smith scored three times, but Jones' goal after Smith's
second broke up the natural.
 
Bill Fenwick
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