COLUMBUS, Ohio (Reuters) - Rookie Matt Calvert scored a hat-trick to break open a tie game and propel the Columbus Blue Jackets to a 5-3 win over the Phoenix Coyotes.
The Coyotes have now lost two straight games after winning eight consecutive while the Blue Jackets have won three straight games as they try to climb back into a playoff position in the Western Conference.
The Coyotes started quickly with two goals in the opening eight minutes and goalie Ilya Bryzgalov stopped Blue Jackets winger R.J. Umberger on a penalty shot.
The Coyotes ran into a string of penalties which allowed the Blue Jackets to turn the momentum in their favor before the end of the period.
Umberger and Jakub Voracek both scored on the powerplay to tie the game.
"Like we've been doing the last month and a half, we responded well," said Umberger. "We've been down 2-0 a couple of times. Our power play stepped up and got us back in the game."
He batted his second goal in out of the air and wrapped up the natural hat trick lifting a loose puck over Bryzgalov in a crowded crease, prompting the fans to toss their hats to the ice.
"Seeing all the hats going down, the crowd was electric. It was unbelievable," said Calvert. "It was an exciting moment, something I'll remember for the rest of my career."
Lori Korpikoski scored a late goal for the Coyotes to narrow the final gap to two.
(Reporting by Mike Mouat in Windsor, Ontario. Editing by Alastair Himmer)
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