Hockey Twitter gives Arizona respect after Auston Matthews’ hat trick debut

Oct 12, 2016, 5:31 PM | Updated: Oct 13, 2016, 10:43 am

Arizona isn’t known as a hockey hotbed.

And while the Arizona Coyotes didn’t earn the No. 1 overall pick in 2016 to draft Scottsdale product Auston Matthews, the state can at least bask in his incredible NHL debut.

The rookie scored four goals in the first two periods on NHL’s opening night Wednesday.

Here’s a look at his first goal.

Matthews first career NHL goal pic.twitter.com/LlRrY8dNuk

— steph (@myregularface) October 12, 2016

Pretty impressive for the teenager. But the second one included the rookie skating past defenseman and noted two-time James Norris Memorial Trophy winner Erik Karlsson.

Matthews 2nd career NHL goal pic.twitter.com/pqKGJBo6hh

— steph (@myregularface) October 12, 2016

His third goal, a much easier one, came 1:25 into the second period, and the fourth occurred just before the end of the second period.

Hockey fans — not to mention Coyotes owner Anthony LeBlanc and Matthews’ mother — reacted on Twitter with astonishment, not only in Matthews’ play but in where he hails from.

https://twitter.com/anthonydleblanc/status/786385781799604224

Awesome reaction from Auston Matthews’ mom after his 3rd goal pic.twitter.com/c0zI823zzi

— Pete Blackburn (@PeteBlackburn) October 13, 2016

cave art, found just outside of scotsdale arizona prophesying the arrival of auston matthews pic.twitter.com/1fIvJ9p8pC

— AOL KEYWORD: Mike (@mikeFAIL) October 12, 2016

It appears hockey development in Arizona is a pretty good place to learn and hone skills. @RichNairn9

— Darren Dreger (@DarrenDreger) October 12, 2016

https://twitter.com/StatsCentre/status/786363732397961216

If jets don't move to Arizona no Auston Matthews. Food for thought.

— #1 Nik Antropov Fan (@hockeylake72) October 13, 2016

Maple Leafs still haven't had any goals scored by players from outside Arizona

— Bobby Big Wheel (@BobbyBigWheel) October 13, 2016

Matthews is going off. See, world? Arizona does have talented hockey players here.

— 'T' NRB 'T' (@NicholasB40) October 13, 2016

https://twitter.com/DisgustedNYer/status/786352966382923776

If the Arizona Coyotes never existed do we ever even hear of Auston Matthews?

— Remo Zaccagna (@RemoZaccagna) October 12, 2016

AUSTON MATTHEWS, #1 PICK OVERALL, AN AMERICAN BORN PLAYER FROM ARIZONA, SCORED THE FIRST (AND HIS FIRST) GOAL OF THE 2016/17 NHL SEASON pic.twitter.com/e0BWFVN1RC

— little green ghoul (@goalietandem) October 12, 2016