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Arizona Coyotes Throwback: Shane Doan’s Hat-Trick

By Adam Pierce

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After 1,161 Career Games, Arizona Coyotes Forward Shane Doan Nets His First-Ever NHL Hat-Trick.

Arizona Coyotes forward Shane Doan accomplished something truly special on January 7th, 2012; his first career hat-trick. Fans that are new to the franchise would assume that this feat would have already been done by now. Its hard to believe that ‘Captain Coyote’ had not scored three goals in one night before in his 1,161 career games prior to January 7th. 

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Shane Doan has come close numerous times before. He had 38 two goal games going in to this match against the New York Islanders in 2012. Those 38 games tied an NHL record shared by Petr Sykora for most two goal games without a hat-trick. He was determined not to make that number 39.

In front of a packed home crowd at Jobing.com Arena, the Arizona Coyotes prepared for their game against the New York Islanders. This would be the first home game of the new year for the Coyotes, who would be on the road to a Pacific Division championship. Shane Doan happened to change his pregame routine before puck drop that night. Jerry Brown from NHL.com reports that “at the urging of equipment managers Stan Wilson and Tony Silva, he changed the unique, curved knob of his stick – a constant source of ribbing from teammate – and went back to a more standard knob.” Whether it was the full-moon out that night or the new twig, Doan was destined to make history.

Shane Doan’s First Goal:

Shane Doan was ready for this game as soon as the puck hit the ice. He gave the Arizona Coyotes an early lead with a goal just 1:41 in to the first period. This goal would be number ten on the season. This goal would come off a rebound from the pads of Islanders goaltender, Evgeni Nabokov. Daymond Langkow sent a backhand that was tipped by Mikkel Boedker before hitting Nabokov. The puck then found the stick of Shane Doan as he put it home for the goal.

Shane Doan’s Second Goal:

Shane Doan’s second goal came early on in the second period (1:39), much like his first. Doan was set up beautifully, from a cross-ice pass by Keith Yandle. The pass down the length of the rink gave Shane an opportunity on a break-a-way that he would put past Nabokov. Doan would deke from his backhand to his forehand before sliding the puck through the five-hole of the Islanders goalie. Doan knew he had plenty of time to get his coveted third goal.

Shane Doan’s Third Goal:

Shane Doan’s third goal that night was something truly special. Unlike the first two, this goal would come later in the period for the Arizona Coyotes. The New York Islanders proved to be no match against the Arizona Coyotes, as they built up their lead to four goals to one. Shane Doan would not stop there.

With five seconds left in the game, Oliver Ekman-Larsson cleared the puck from the defensive zone to the stick of Ray Whitney. A tired Shane Doan glided down the ice, with the hopes of one last chance to complete his hat-trick.

As Whitney crossed the blue-line, he dropped the puck back to Shane Doan, who fired it towards the net, as time expired. To everyone’s surprise it crossed the line…with 0.1 seconds left to spare.

Suspense filled the arena, as the goal had to be reviewed by the referees to make sure it counted. The team in Toronto later confirmed that the goal was good.

Shane Doan finally did it! After 1,161 career games with the same franchise, he witnessed hats thrown on the ice in his honor.

Shane describes his thoughts during the final seconds of the game:

"“I looked up and there was about 4.5 seconds left and ‘Whits’ got the puck and I knew he was trying to find me and I thought, ‘Oh my goodness.’ I had to figure out a way to get up the ice because I was done. I knew he was going to get it to me for a shot … and I couldn’t believe that it went in.”"

Congrats Shane, you earned it.

Next: Arizona Coyotes Throwback: Remembering February 2012

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