natural hat trick
LowSpecialised/Technical (Sports Journalism, Fan Discourse)
Definition
Meaning
In ice hockey, a sequence where a single player scores three consecutive goals in a single game, with no other player from either team scoring between those goals.
The term is sometimes extended to other sports (e.g., football/soccer, lacrosse) to denote three consecutive goals or scores by one player in a single game period or segment of play. In general sports vernacular, it emphasizes uninterrupted, consecutive achievement by an individual.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
A subset of the broader term 'hat trick' (three goals in a game). The 'natural' modifier is crucial and specifies the consecutive nature of the goals. It is a term of praise and statistical significance.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Primarily associated with North American ice hockey. In British contexts (e.g., football/soccer), the term 'hat-trick' is common, but 'natural hat-trick' is much rarer and may not be universally understood; commentators might instead say 'three goals in a row'.
Connotations
In North America, it conveys high skill and momentum. In the UK, its use in football is emerging but still seen as a North American hockey import, sometimes used for stylistic effect.
Frequency
Frequent in North American sports media (ice hockey). Very infrequent in general British English outside of ice hockey coverage.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
[Player] scored a natural hat trick.A natural hat trick by [Player] lifted the team.It was his second natural hat trick of the season.Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “He was on a heater, scoring a natural hat trick.”
- “He scored three unanswered goals.”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Not applicable; used metaphorically at best (e.g., 'The sales rep had a natural hat trick, closing three deals in a row').
Academic
Only in sports science or statistical analysis of athletic performance.
Everyday
Almost exclusively in sports conversations among fans.
Technical
Precise term in ice hockey statistics and commentary.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- He natural-hat-tricked his way to man of the match. (very informal, neologism)
American English
- He natural-hat-tricked in the second period. (very informal, neologism)
adjective
British English
- A natural-hat-trick performance secured the win.
American English
- She had a natural-hat-trick game last night.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- The player got three goals. It was a natural hat trick.
- He scored a natural hat trick, with all three goals coming in the second period.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a hockey player wearing a NATURAL beaver fur hat. To get all the fur for the hat, they need to catch three beavers in a row without any escaping in between – three consecutive successes.
Conceptual Metaphor
ACHIEVEMENT IS A COMPLETE SET (The 'hat trick' as a set of three, with 'natural' implying an unstoppable, fluent completion).
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Avoid direct translation like 'природный хет-трик'. Use 'хет-трик из трех голов подряд' or 'три гола подряд (в одном матче)'.
Common Mistakes
- Using it for any three goals in a game (must be consecutive).
- Applying it to contexts with no sequential requirement (e.g., three achievements over a month).
- Spelling as 'natural hack trick'.
Practice
Quiz
In which sport did the term 'natural hat trick' originate and is most precisely used?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
A hat trick is three goals in a single game by one player. A natural hat trick specifies that those three goals were scored consecutively, with no other player scoring in between.
Yes, the concept can be applied, and it is sometimes used by commentators. However, it is far less established than in ice hockey, and 'three goals in a row' is a more common phrasing.
No. The goals must be consecutive within the game timeline, but they can span across periods (e.g., one at the end of the second, two at the start of the third).
In professional ice hockey leagues like the NHL, it is a tracked and recognised statistical feat, often highlighted in broadcasts and post-game reports.