Mather's Hat Trick Single-Handedly Defeats Stockton, 3-2

February 11, 2006 - ECHL (ECHL)
Fresno Falcons News Release


FRESNO, Calif. - The Fresno Falcons rode a hat trick from Shawn Mather to a 3-2 victory over the Stockton Thunder at Save Mart Center.

Mather scored the only goal of the first two periods when, off a lengthy scramble in front, he finally beat Stockton goaltender Jeff Weber 6:13 into the opening frame.

Fresno entered the third still leading just 1-0, despite having out-shot the Thunder 35-15. Stockton tied the game with some good hustle from Steve Slonina, who beat two Falcons to a dump-in before lifting the puck over the left shoulder of Fresno goaltender Jamie Holden at 2:02 of third. Mather restored the Falcons' one-goal edge on the power play when he fired a wrist shot from the left circle past Weber at 3:32. The Thunder responded to tie the game again. On the penalty kill, Holden tried to clear the puck up the far boards from behind the net, but it deflected off Stockton's Aaron MacInnis right in front. Joel Irwin completed the easy finish into the empty net at 8:08, tying the game at two. Mather's hat trick put Fresno in front for good. Fraser Clair won a draw to Mather, who sent a quick slapshot over Weber's shoulder for his team-leading 21st of the season.

On Wednesday during the Falcons' 3-2 overtime win against the Thunder, Stockton tied the game with under three seconds remaining in regulation with the goaltender pulled. Tonight, they again pulled Weber, but this time they failed to get the equalizer as Fresno held on to win.

Mather's performance was impressive across the board. In addition to taking over the team goal-scoring lead, he notched his team-best 10th power play goal of the year and has a league-leading six game-winning goals. He also established a new Falcons team record by landing 13 shots on goal, besting the 12 shots former Fresno defenseman Chris Newans took during a game on Nov. 20, 1999. The 13 shots are also an ECHL high this season.

The win lifts Fresno to 27-8-10 on the season, keeping the club seven points in front of the red-hot Long Beach Ice Dogs atop the Pacific Division with 64 points. The Falcons are 6-0-0 against the Thunder this season and 13-0-4 against teams from within their own division.

Fresno and Stockton square-off again tomorrow and Sunday as they play one another four times in five days this week. Tomorrow and Sunday's tilts are both at Stockton Arena and can be heard live on 1550 Sporting News Radio. Tomorrow's FutureTek Pre-game Show begins at 6:45 p.m., while Sunday's pre-game starts at 3:45 p.m. Fans may also view both games online courtesy of B2 Networks, which can be accessed via the Falcons home page at www.fresnofalcons.com.



ECHL Stories from February 11, 2006


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