Wednesday’s matchup between the Buffalo Sabres and the Columbus Blue Jackets featured one of the greatest performances in recent memory for Sabres winger Tage Thompson.
Thompson made a huge impact early in Wednesday’s matchup, scoring four goals along with an assist in an insane five-point first period.
🙌 THE YEAR OF TAGE 🙌
Tage Thompson has his second @enterprise hat trick of the season as part of a FIVE-POINT first period. 🤯 pic.twitter.com/nD87wSsjVf
— NHL (@NHL) December 8, 2022
🚨TAGE THOMPSON WITH 4 GOALS AND 5 POINTS IN 1 PERIOD!🚨🏒 pic.twitter.com/l7h5tAuyDd
— The Comeback (@thecomeback) December 8, 2022
This first period for Thompson made history in a number of ways. It ties an NHL record for the most goals in any period, and it’s the second-fastest four-goal period to begin a game in NHL history.
While it’s undoubtedly the best performance of his career, it was certainly no fluke. This performance moved Thompson into third in the NHL with 20 goals on the year, and fourth in total points with 39.
So, to recap that period. Tage Thompson …
🔥Tied an NHL record with 4 goals in one period.
🔥Scored the 2nd-fastest 4 goals to begin a game in NHL history, according to @SNstats.
🔥Moved into a tie for 3rd in the NHL in goals (20) and 4th in points (39). pic.twitter.com/MIAbTuH3OQ
— Jourdon LaBarber (@JourdonLaBarber) December 8, 2022
Thompson did not stop there despite the game being well in hand, capping off his terrific start with his fifth and final goal of the game in the second period to give the Sabres a 7-2 lead.
5 GOALS FOR TAGE THOMPSON! 🏒pic.twitter.com/QBUQS8vYx9
— The Comeback (@thecomeback) December 8, 2022
Many around the NHL world took to social media after the conclusion of the game to sing Thompson’s praises for this unreal game.
Tage Thompson has more goals tonight than 73% of players in the league have goals this season.
— Mike Kelly (@MikeKellyNHL) December 8, 2022
Tage Thompson is the best hockey player ever born in Arizona
— Pete Blackburn (@PeteBlackburn) December 8, 2022
ESPN going from UConn pumping Florida to Tage Thompson scoring five goals in a game absolutely ruled
— Dan Madigan (@dmad1433) December 8, 2022
Have a game, Tage Thompson 😤
— DraftKings (@DraftKings) December 8, 2022
Tage Thompson is a complete freak. This guy is amazing. 5 goals tonight and it’s the second period
— Ryan Whitney (@ryanwhitney6) December 8, 2022
When somebody other than Tage Thompson scores a goal in this game pic.twitter.com/yxiri51JLT
— DJ Bean (@DJ_Bean) December 8, 2022
7 years, $50 million for Tage Thompson might be the biggest steal in all of sports.
— Liam McHugh (@liam_mchugh) December 8, 2022
Of the 17 players that had ever scored four goals in a period entering Wednesday, only one had done so since 2000, with Patrick Marleau recording a four-goal period in January 2017.
Tage Thompson was asked after the game about his performance, where he issued a very humble answer.
“You can’t be satisfied. Obviously, it’s a great achievement. You want to be happy for yourself. But at the same time, there’s more to do. We’re not where we want to be as a team and it’s my job to help us get there.”
Tage Thompson following his 5-goal performance: "You can’t be satisfied. Obviously, it’s a great achievement. You want to be happy for yourself. But at the same time, there’s more to do. We’re not where we want to be as a team and it’s my job to help us get there."
— Lance Lysowski (@LLysowski) December 8, 2022
About Reice Shipley
Reice Shipley is a staff writer for Comeback Media that graduated from Ithaca College with a degree in Sports Media. He previously worked at Barrett Sports Media and is a fan of all things Syracuse sports.