February 18, 2004

Steve Sullivan started his tenure as a Nashville Predator with a bang, recording a hat trick and assisting on another goal to lead his new team to a 7-4 stomping of San Jose at the Sommet Center.

"It's the kid in me that just loves scoring goals," said Sullivan, acquired from Chicago less than 48 hours before his debut. "You always hope for nights like these, but they are never easy. They usually come few and far between. I'm just happy the team got the win. That was my main objective."

New linemate Scott Walker and defenseman Marek Zidlicky assisted on the trio of goals, all of which came on the power play. All three used the outburst as a rallying cry – Walker had 10 points (2g-10a) in three games, Zidlicky pitched in six helpers in three contests, and Sullivan his five-goal, five-assist explosion to earn NHL Offensive Player of the Week honors.

"To be relaxed and to stay calm were the big things for me in my first game," Sullivan said. "It was like any other game this season. I just wanted to keep things simple."

Entering the 2007-08 campaign, Sullivan had racked up 158 points (62g-96a) in just 150 games making him the only Predator ever to average more than a point a game. He is the only player in franchise history to record three hat tricks, and his 2005-06 goal total of 31 was tied for the highest ever.