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Keith Tkachuk refuses to give up hat for son Matthew’s hat trick

Some fathers just can't give up the tough love, even in their kids' biggest moments.

Matthew Tkachuk scored a hat trick to lead the Calgary Flames to a 9-6 victory over the Edmonton Oilers in a wild Game 1 of the Battle of Alberta in the second round of the Stanley Cup playoffs.

The crowd at the Saddledome was loud throughout the contest and erupted when Tkachuk notched the hat trick in an empty net to seal the win. A storm of hats hit the ice, barring one; the 24-year-old did not get the one off the head of his father, Keith Tkachuk.

The former NHL star forward was caught on camera refusing to throw his hat on the ice to celebrate his son’s hat trick.

The entire Tkachuk family, including younger brother Brady of the Ottawa Senators, was there to cheer on Matthews from the stands, with the younger Tkachuk working the crowd before puck drop.

Matthew Tkachuk was all over the ice, not only finding the back of the net but also getting under the Oilers' skin, especially forward Evander Kane. Both players were handed offsetting minors for roughing in the third period after a stoppage in play. After going chirping back and forth in the box for the duration of the penalties, Tkachuk was allowed to leave the sin bin before teammate Oliver Kylington, who had also been assessed a minor penalty prior to the scrum between Tkachuk and Kane. According to NHL rule 16.2, a team is allowed to declare which of their players can leave the box first when penalties are assessed at the same time.

The gritty Flames’ forward jumped on the ice and scored his second of the game with Kane left to witness the tally from the penalty box.

Almost nine minutes later in the period, Tkachuk sent the puck in an empty net, getting the hat trick and wrapping up a wild first game in the Battle of Alberta.

Calgary leads the series 1-0 with Game 2 set for Friday night at the Saddledome.

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