Alexandre Texier makes history as the Bell Centre erupts after his hat trick
Photo credit: Montreal Canadiens
On Thursday, Alexandre Texier brought the Bell Centre to its feet-three times.
When a hockey account in France tips its hat to Montreal, you know it made an impact. Texier recorded a hat trick against the Florida Panthers, and the story quickly made its way over here.
What stands out is that it did not come out of nowhere. This season with the Montreal Canadiens, Texier has posted 22 games, 7 goals, 7 assists, and 14 points.
"After recording three points in the previous game, Tex' delivers a hat trick tonight with Montreal (6-2).
He becomes the second French player to record a hat trick since Antoine Roussel in 2017."
- Hockey France
He becomes the second French player to record a hat trick since Antoine Roussel in 2017."
- Hockey France
Historic hat trick by Alexandre Texier, first French player since 2017
In the same discussion, another name quickly comes up: Antoine Roussel. He also recorded a hat trick in the NHL, in February 2017, with the Dallas Stars.
Roussel finished his career with 607 games, 85 goals, 112 assists, and 197 points. Those are numbers that speak for themselves, especially for a player who never needed a big market to get noticed.
"What our Frenchman Alexandre Texier is doing in the NHL is INSANE! No one is talking about it, even though he just recorded 6 points in 24 hours with the most iconic club in the world. FIRST HAT TRICK TONIGHT. Incredible."
- Charles Trognon
- Charles Trognon
The comparison is a fun one, because both players each had their moment. Roussel did it in a 4-3 overtime win, and that night he scored all three of Dallas' goals in regulation.
In short, a hat trick is more than a game summary. It is a moment, an atmosphere, and a memory that comes back when you look back on a season. And if you enjoy following French players in the NHL, you just had a big night to bookmark.
Well done, Alex!
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