There was no doubt about who was the great hero of Anaheim when they won tonight's California derby against San Jose.
Former Spånga and AIK junior Rickard Rakell, who was assistant team captain for Tre Kronor in last year's WC, scored two of the three goals during regular playing time and then decided the penalty.
Speechless extension
He first equalized to 2-2 seven minutes into the second period when he was well placed in front of goal and poked in a return, and then put 3-3 at the end of the same period when he grabbed the puck after a technical and with a sharp wrist shots flickered into the chirping.
It turned out to be the last goal of the match during regular playing time, and after a goalless extra time, the match then went to penalties.
On the penalty kick, Trevor Zegras then put Anahemi's first penalty, before three straight missed penalties.
When Rakell then, after fine tricks that ended with a delicious backhand lift into goal, put Anaheim's third penalty, it was clear: The extra points went to Anaheim, who thus took an important point in the battle for a playoff spot.
After Rakell's penalty goal, which was thus his third hit of the day, was thrown as tradition, the audience invites caps on the ice to celebrate the Swede's hat trick.