Byfuglien has natural hat trick, Blackhawks rout Coyotes

Posted November 29, 2007 10:00 pm

Defenseman Dustin Byfuglien scored 3 consecutive goals in the first period for his first multi-goal game and added an assist in the Blackhawks' 6-1 victory over the Phoenix Coyotes on Friday night.

Tuomo Ruutu added 2 goals, rookie Jonathan Toews had a goal and 2 assists, and NHL rookie scoring leader Patrick Kane also had 2 assists. Nikolai Khabibulin stopped 28 shots, allowing only Peter Mueller's breakaway goal with 7:57 left.

Byfuglien, playing his 47th NHL game, matched the Blackhawks record for goals in a game by a defenseman set in 1977 by Dick Redmond and matched by Doug Wilson in 1991.

Byfuglien entered the game with 3 goals and an assist in 12 games this season.

Phoenix goalie Ilya Bryzgalov was pulled at 10:30 of the first period after allowing five goals - capped by Byfuglien's natural hat trick - on seven shots. Mikael Tellqvist replaced him and allowed a goal on 20 shots.

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