Thunder drops 3-2 loss to Fresno behind Shawn Mather's hat trick

Published on February 11, 2006 under ECHL (ECHL)
Stockton Thunder News Release


FRESNO, Calif. - Stockton Thunder (8-26-8, 24 points) goaltender Jeff Weber brought the "A" game with 39 saves, but it's the three that got by him that proved to be the difference. Shawn Mather's hat trick provided all of the necessary Fresno Falcons (27-8-10, 64 points) offense in a 3-2 Thunder loss to Fresno, before 3,943 at Save Mart Center on Friday.

Weber stood tall in net for the first period with 17 saves, but the only one that got past him was a mad-scramble rebound goal by Mather at the 6:13 mark for a 1-0 Fresno lead, after Weber made a series of point-blank saves before Mather popped the goal in from the doorstep.

Both teams kept the one-goal deficit in tact through two periods, as Weber matched Fresno netminder Jamie Holden save-for-save, with Weber posting 17 saves again in the second period and keeping Fresno's power play at bay. The Thunder kept Fresno scoreless on two power play chances in the period.

The offensive floodgates opened in the third period, beginning with a Steve Slonina goal to tie the game 1-1 with 2:02 gone, after Slonina outraced the Fresno defense on a dump-in and slipped a 10-foot shot past Holden's shoulder. Mather came back only 1:30 later with a 20-foot wrist shot from the left circle to make it a 2-1 game for Fresno.

After Holden misplayed a Thunder power play dump-in, Joel Irwin capitalized on the scramble and pounded home a loose puck for a 2-2 tie at the 8:08 mark. Fresno reclaimed the lead for good after Mather beat Weber from virtually the same spot on his second goal, this time off a face-off at the 12:53 mark for a 3-2 Fresno advantage.

Stockton fell short on numerous scoring chances in front of Holden in the last minute, with Weber pulled from the net for an extra skater.

The Thunder and Falcons square off again Saturday at 7:30 p.m. PT at Stockton Arena. The game can be heard live on the internet (free-of-charge) and is available for viewing at a $6 "pay-per-view" rate at www.stocktonthunder.com, courtesy of B-2 Networks.

In addition, Comcast SJTV will carry live televised coverage (check local listings), beginning at 7:30 p.m. PT.

Thunder season tickets, individual tickets, and mini packages are on-sale now. Individual tickets can be purchased in person at Stockton Arena's Ticket Office, online at www.stocktontickets.com, or by phone at (209) 373-1700. For more information about tickets, merchandise, or other inquiries contact the Stockton Thunder offices at (209) 373-1500 or visit www.stocktonthunder.com.

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ECHL Stories from February 11, 2006


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