With the Soo Greyhounds needing players to pick up their game in the absence of some key performers, Blair Jarrett stepped up to pace the Hounds to a win.
Jarrett, an overage forward and local product, scored a natural hat trick as the Greyhounds defeated the Guelph Storm 3-1 on Friday night in Guelph.
The game was the first of a three-game road trip and the team's fifth consecutive contest away from home.
With the win, the Greyhounds move to 15-14-5 for 35 points and increase their first place lead in the Ontario Hockey League's west division over the Windsor Spitfires to three points.
The Greyhounds are playing the weekend without some key players as Jeff Carter is currently training with the Canadian National Junior Team while goaltender Jakub Cech and defenseman Martin Tuma are trying to crack the Czech Republic National Junior Team.
Guelph opened the scoring with a first period power play goal from Kyle Spurr before Jarrett took over with his first goal at 13:42 of the second period.
Jarrett then added two more goals in the third period to give him 15 markers on the season. Andrew Desjardins assisted on all three goals while Jamie VanderVeeken and Brad Staubitz setup one each.
Kyle Gajewski picked up the win in goal by stopping 25 of 26 shots. The Greyhounds fired 25 shots on Storm goaltender Danny Taylor.
The Greyhounds visit the Erie Otters on Saturday night before making the trek back north of the border on Sunday afternoon against the Toronto St. Michael's Majors.
Next home action for the locals is Tuesday, December 28 against the Saginaw Spirit at 7 p.m.