What is a natural hat trick?

A natural hat trick occurs in ice hockey when a player scores three consecutive goals in a single game without any other player from either team scoring a goal in between. This is considered a rare and impressive feat in the sport.

The term "natural" distinguishes a hat trick from a regular hat trick, which is when a player scores three goals in a game regardless of whether they are consecutive or not. The origin of the term "hat trick" is believed to come from the practice of fans throwing their hats onto the ice to recognize and acknowledge a player's accomplishment of scoring three goals in a game.

Natural hat tricks showcase a player's skill, consistency, and goal-scoring ability, and are often celebrated and remembered by fans, teammates, and the hockey community. Players who achieve a natural hat trick are often awarded the game puck as a memento of their accomplishment.