Steve Tambellini was watching the N.Y. Islanders take on the Buffalo Sabres Saturday night.
The Edmonton Oilers general manager might have been there to pre-scout the Islanders, who play the Oilers on Monday, but it's more likely he was there to watch No. 15 for the Islanders, his son Jeff.
The younger Tambellini put on a show for his dad, recording his first NHL hat trick.
"It's certainly a proud moment for me," said Steve. "There is definitely an emotional connection. I'm very proud of him for all the hard work he's put in."
The success Jeff is now having hasn't come easily for the former first-round pick of the Los Angeles Kings.
Before last Monday, when Tambellini scored two goals in an overtime loss to Montreal, he had played in 148 NHL games without scoring multiple goals in a game.
"Every player that gets to the NHL has some situation they have to go through," said Steve. "There aren't many that have an easy path. Every young guy has to establish himself and is a work in progress."
The elder Tambellini tries to keep it cool when he's talking about his kid. It's not like minor hockey when dad would have busted in the dressing room post-game to give his son a high five or a hug.
This is a relationship built on pleasure and business.
The meeting between the Oilers and Islanders isn't anything new for the Tambellinis. They've been down this road before when the bloodlines get put on hold for the bluelines. "I've always been in the business and went to go see my son play," said the Oilers GM. "I only get to see him play a few times a year and sometimes I'm assessing him more than just watching him."
Before he does that on Monday however, the two will go for dinner Sunday.
"I don't know who’s buying, but it's about time he does," said Steve.
Jeff's first career hat trick leaves him one back of his old man.
Steve had two three-goal games in his career. He recorded the first hat trick in New Jersey Devils history in 5-4 win against the Hartford Whalers on Dec. 3, 1982 and his second one came against the Whalers in October, 1984 when he was with the Calgary Flames.