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Holden Steals One with 54 Saves

January 22, 2006 - ECHL (ECHL)
Fresno Falcons News Release


BOISE, Idaho - In the rubber match of a three-game series between the Fresno Falcons and Idaho Steelheads, Falcons goaltender Jamie Holden made 54 saves, Fraser Clair notched a hat trick, and Shawn Mather tallied the game-winner with under three minutes remaining in regulation as Fresno downed Idaho, 4-3, at Qwest Arena.

The first period featured a test of special teams. Idaho began skating on a five-on-three for a full two minutes just 16 seconds into the contest, finally converting with eight seconds remaining on the two-man advantage. David Bararuk slipped a backhand off Holden's catching glove to give the Steelheads an initial lead at 2:08. Fresno then responded with two power play goals from Clair, both from right on the doorstep at 5:41 and 13:09, giving the Falcons a 2-1 advantage. The Steelheads tied the game at two with a wrist shot through traffic by Jarad Bourassa at 17:47. They finished the frame skating on their second extended five-on-three and generated a total of 28 shots on goal, tying the league season-high for a single period of play.

The battle of special teams continued in the second period. Clair picked-up the Falcons' second hat trick of the season when a shot from the point by Cory Murphy glanced off his hip and past Idaho goaltender Steve Silverthorn at 3:02. The Steelheads would tie the game at three while they were skating on their third five-on-three of the day. Marty Flichel's centering effort from the left circle hit a skate and changed directions on its way past Holden, who despite getting beaten on the play, faced another 18 shots in the middle period as he stopped 43 of 46 through 40 minutes.

After a combining for six goals during the first two periods, the teams remained deadlocked at three well into the third. Skating five-on-five and forcing the issue in the offensive zone, Derek Krestanovich centered the puck off the endboards for Mather, who potted a backhand into the upper righthand corner for the game-winning goal at 17:07. It was Mather's fifth deciding goal of the season, tying him for the league lead.

Holden finished the game with 54 saves, setting a new Falcons team record for most saves in a single period when he stopped 26 pucks during the opening frame.

Fresno hits the All-Star Break with a record of 23-7-8 and 54 points and a double-digit lead over the second-place Long Beach Ice Dogs in the standings.

The entire league now turns its attention to Fresno and the 2006 Bud Light ECHL All-Star Game and Skills Competition at Save Mart Center on Tuesday and Wednesday, Jan. 24 and 25. All tickets for the Skills Competition on Jan. 24 cost $10, while seats for the All-Star Game on Jan. 25 start as low as $15. Tickets are available at all Ticketmaster locations or at Save Mart Center's box office. Both events start at 7 p.m.

The Falcons return to game action on Friday, Jan. 27, when they host the Long Beach Ice Dogs at Save Mart Center at 7 p.m.



ECHL Stories from January 22, 2006


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