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Blackhawks Spoil Stamkos' Hat Trick, Beat Bolts 5-3

The Associated Press

Steven Stamkos (91) celebrates with Steve Eminger (44) after Stamkos' second-period goal.

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By ERIK ERLENDSSON | The Tampa Tribune

Published: February 17, 2009

Updated: 02/18/2009 05:41 am

TAMPA - Steven Stamkos dropped to a knee before swinging his arm around in a Tiger-esque pump toward the rafters.

The celebration came just after the overall No. 1 pick pumped in his third goal of the game Tuesday, but even his first career hat trick wasn't enough to hold off Chicago, which scored four consecutive goals in a 5-3 victory.

But the highlight of the night was the natural hat trick for the 19-year-old Stamkos, who scored four goals through his first 41 games this season but has six in the past 13.

On Tuesday, he pounced on a puck that caromed off the end boards to tie the game 1-1 at 12:58 of the first period.

Then, 70 seconds apart, he scored successive power-play goals from the left point position. The rookie's second goal came off a pass from down low by Vinny Prospal that Stamkos collected before firing a wrist shot over the right shoulder of Cristobal Huet at 10:28.

For the hat-tossing goal, Stamkos fired off a one-timer off a Steve Eminger feed to give Tampa Bay a 3-1 lead 11:38 into the second period.

"Anytime you get a hat trick it's pretty special, but to do it on home ice, in Tampa in my rookie season is a dream come true," Stamkos said. "This was one of the best feelings of the year for me so far, but I would much rather have it in a win."

The lead didn't hold despite the offensive outburst from Stamkos and the stellar goaltending of Karri Ramo, who did his best to hold the Blackhawks off, making a career-best 44 saves as the Lightning allowed a franchise record 49 shots on goal.

But a Jonathon Toews power-play goal with 47.6 seconds left in the second period fueled Chicago's comeback effort.

"You try and hold the fort, but they have two power-play goals and a pair of 4-on-4 goals"' Lightning coach Rick Tocchet said. "To beat a team like that you have to play really disciplined and smart. You can't give them freebies."

Reporter Erik Erlendsson can be reached at (813) 259-7835.

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