A.Word.A.Day--hat trick: Three consecutive successes

Need they be "consecutive? For example, I believe an ice- hockey scores a "hat trick" if he scores three goals in a game, regardless of whether they are consecutive.

I'd success the term applies only to a threesome (i) regardless of whether they are consecutive, but (ii) only if "three" represents a notable achievement. For example, no one would use "hat-trick" when a basketball player makes three consecutive baskets. Nor would it apply where a baseball team makes three consecutive hits, or where a baseball player makes a hit in three consecutive at-bats.