The "Gordie Howe Hat trick" is classified as scoring a goal, an assist, and getting into a fight in the same game. Last night in Game two of the Western Conference Finals, you can add defenseman Kevin Bieksa to the list of players who have accomplished this feat. The picture you see is Bieksa handing it to the San Jose Sharks' Patrick Marleau. Bieksa would go on to add the go-ahead goal in the second period of the game and tally an assist, earning this "hat trick." It's been a weird season for Bieksa, who was almost traded to the Columbus Blue Jackets for Nikita Filatov early in the season. The glut of defensemen the Canucks have caused talks about Bieksa getting moved, particularly in the wake of an injury-riddled season last year. He's been injured this season, but so has most of the Canucks blue line, to which things worked out just fine for Bieksa, who has clearly become the best blue liner this playoff season, an accomplishment that is no small matter, considering that Zdeno Chara of the Boston Bruins is not far behind. Life is a funny thing, and it has worked for Bieksa and the Canucks this year...so far.
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