Ex-UND standout Nick Schmaltz tallies first NHL hat trick

TEMPE, Ariz. — Nick Schmaltz has always been a pass-first player.

But on Thursday night, he played the role of goal-scorer for the Arizona Coyotes.

Schmaltz tallied a natural hat trick — three consecutive goals — during Arizona's 5-0 win over the St. Louis Blues.

It marked Schmaltz's first NHL hat trick in 401 career games (397 regular-season, four playoff).

All three goals came at even strength. He scored at 10:55 of the second period — that one was assisted by former UND teammate Troy Stecher — 13:56 of the second period and :13 of the third.

Schmaltz also tallied an assist for a four-point game.

The Madison, Wis., native has 11 goals and 28 points in 33 games this season. He has seven points in his last three games.

Schmaltz played two years at UND, tallying 16 goals, 56 assists and 72 points in 75 games. He never hat a college hat trick.

In fact, he only had one multi-goal game in college — Schmaltz scored twice against Colorado College in Game 1 of their 2016 National Collegiate Hockey Conference quarterfinal series in Ralph Engelstad Arena.

Schmaltz's last hat trick came on Dec. 31, 2012, when he was playing junior hockey with the Green Bay Gamblers in the United States Hockey League. His third goal that night came in overtime as Green Bay beat Muskegon 6-5.