Stastny Scores Hat Trick For Avs

DENVER (AP) -- DU Alum Paul Stastny was just following in the skates of his old man.

The second-year center had his first career hat trick Wednesday night and the Colorado Avalanche held off the Dallas Stars for a 4-3 victory in the season opener for both teams.

Peter Stastny, a star with the Quebec Nordiques, had a hat trick against Buffalo on Oct. 6, 1982.

His son, though, didn't want to compare himself to his father, who was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 1998.

"He's way better than me," Paul Stastny said grinning. "But it's good to get a hat trick."

Stastny's three-goal game was the first by a Colorado player on opening night since Dale Hunter did it on Oct. 4, 1983, against the New York Islanders.

After scoring his third goal midway through the second period, the fans littered the ice with hats.

But Stastny downplayed his accomplishment.

"Anyone on the team can chip in," Stastny said. "Today, I was a little lucky. It helped out because we needed goals."

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