The New Jersey Devils are back on the winning track again after three straight losses. And it was Jesper Bratt who led the way against Tampa Bay last night with his three goals in the 5-2 win, the 24-year-old's first hat trick in the NHL.
First, he was reduced to 2–1, just nine seconds after Alex Killorn's 2–0 goal.
"It was obviously very important. We felt like we played good hockey and that goal was a little lucky. A good pitching variation that resulted in a goal and it gave us momentum, it was huge," Bratt told NHL.com.
Barely three minutes later, Bratt equalized and then completed his hat trick by putting the final score 5–2 in the open box with twelve seconds left to play.
After the game, he was praised by coach Lindy Ruff.
"We needed a lot of effort from our best players tonight and I think we got it," Ruff said.