Tony DeAngelo showered with love after earning a Gordie Howe hat trick.

I must admit it is somewhat difficult to put the Tony DeAngelo that we saw last night into the same box as the Tony DeAngelo that was unceremoniously tossed aside by the New York Rangers in the middle of last season.

On Friday night the Carolina Hurricanes picked up their 7th consecutive win of the season, and front and center in that win was the aforementioned DeAngelo. The controversial defenseman earned himself first star of the game honors and helped his team rally from an early game deficit to defeat the Chicago Blackhawks who remain winless on the season. It was a big night for DeAngelo as an individual player. In the game prior to the one played on Friday night, DeAngelo had called out his own performance on the ice and this proved to be a huge bounce back on an individual level.

Not only did DeAngelo score a clutch goal for the Hurricanes, but he also earned himself a Gordie Howe hat trick by taking on Blackhawks forward Tyler Johnson. There was an especially hilarious moment during their exchange in which DeAngelo, purely by accident I'm sure, appeared to swing wildly with his eyes closed and caught Johnson right in the.... well Johnson.

For those of you looking to see the full exchange, here is the replay of their showdown:

It is still very early in the season to be making any wholesale proclamations on DeAngelo being a changed man, but there's no question that thus far that does appear to be the case in North Carolina. Not only has DeAngelo looked good so far for the Hurricanes but he is currently doing so on a bargain deal that has him counting for just $1 million against the cap this season.

Although it might be too early to proclaim DeAngelo a new man based on his early season performance, that performance has certainly has earned him the love and appreciation of the Hurricanes fan base in North Carolina. Following the game DeAngelo was interviewed in front of the crowd and he struggled to get his words out between roaring cheers from the crowd.