Mats Zuccarello's Halloween hat trick brings Storm Trooper masks to ice

Mats Zuccarello scored all three of his team's goals, which put a Storm Trooper in a very difficult position. Hat trick law beats Empire law, though.

Mats Zuccarello scored all three of the Rangers' goals Friday night. (USATSI)

It’s the Friday night before Halloween, so the costumes are already out in full force as revelers begin the celebration early. That includes some of the folks that poured into Madison Square Garden to see the New York Rangers take on the Toronto Maple Leafs.

With Star Wars returning to the big screen, everywhere you turn it seems the classic film’s characters are out in full force. That includes some Storm Troopers in MSG. But those intergalactic soldiers were met with a bit of a dilemma.

You see, Mats Zuccarello scored all three of the Rangers’ goals in a 3-1 victory. The last came on an empty-netter. The hats came falling immediately after the Norwegian’s third goal entered the net.

So the Storm Troopers had a decision. They could keep the helmets on or they could break protocol and toss them to the ice.

Hat trick law supersedes the bylaws of the Empire, apparently, because those masks hit the frozen surface.

the storm troopers threw their helmets for zuccarello's hat trick. the Empire would not approve. pic.twitter.com/16ydYkr6EE

— Stephanie (@myregularface) October 31, 2015

It might be a little awkward heading to the Halloween party as the maskless Storm Trooper, but hat tricks are hat tricks. Throw 'em if ya got 'em.

As far as Zuccarello is concerned, that was his first career hat trick. He now has seven goals on the season. It's been a pretty remarkable return for the forward after suffering a scary skull fracture during last year's playoffs.