Marcus Foligno’s first NHL hat trick (Image Via Getty Images) On Monday night in Toronto, the Minnesota Wild were struggling with a roster that was short on numbers and with the pressure of the standings, when suddenly an unexpected offensive performance altered the atmosphere of the match. The Wild, while missing several players, needing depth, and testing, required someone to perform. What happened next was not something planned, but it was the perfect fit for the team’s situation, trying to stay in the Central Division.As the Wild team got on board for their road trip flight, it was quite difficult to avoid the harsh reality of the scenario. The absence of Matthew Boldy, Marcus Johansson, Joel Eriksson Ek, Jonas Brodin, and Zach Bogosian was very clear both in the cabin and on the ice. Veteran player Marcus Foligno was openly expressing his thoughts about the situation, saying that it was a very gloomy one, which forced the rest of the team to examine their playing closely and to react by giving the right signal.
How Marcus Foligno changed a difficult moment into a career night
Foligno’s response was indeed very vocal, and it was loud and clear in the 6-3 win over the Toronto Maple Leafs, where he scored his first career hat trick in the NHL. The outburst was out of the blue, especially since Foligno remained goalless in the first 30 games of this season. However, he has now scored five goals in the last four games, a timely boost for the Wild team that is striving for a playoff spot.Foligno admitted in the post-match interview that even one goal would have been a surprise, let alone three. The 34-year-old player, who is more known for his physical style and leadership than scoring, patiently waited instead of getting frustrated as the season dragged on. His endurance was felt throughout the dressing room, especially with the head coach, John Hynes, who kept on praising Foligno’s leadership during the tough times.The occasion was very special. The match was held in Toronto, where Nick’s dad, former NHLer Mike Foligno, and many other relatives were watching the game. Two of the goals were scored after expert deflections on shots from Brock Faber, while the empty-netter was the result of Vladimir Tarasenko passing up his chance for a hat trick before giving the third goal to his fellow player.As the list of injured players grew, Foligno’s performance became not just a number in the game statistics but also a reminder that leadership, together with a wait-and-see attitude, can tip the scales in favor of the team when it is most needed.