Flock Clinches Fifth Place with Win in St. Charles
ST. CHARLES, Mo. (March 29, 2014) - The Quad City Mallards tonight locked up an opening round Central Hockey League playoff match-up with Rapid City Rush by clinching fifth place with a 5-0 win over the host St. Charles Chill while the idle Rush was consigned to a fourth place finish by the third place Allen Americans' victory over the Denver Cutthroats this evening.
The best-of-seven first round series will start with games one and two next Friday and Saturday in Rapid City before the Mallards return home for game three on Wednesday, April 9 at 7:05 p.m. and game four on Friday, April 11 at 7:05 p.m. If a fifth game is necessary, it will be played on Saturday night April 12 at 7:05 p.m. at the iWireless Center. Should a sixth game be required, the series will shift back to Rapid City on Tuesday, April 15. If the series goes to a seventh game, the Rush would host the deciding contest on Wednesday, April 16.
Thomas Heemserk made 22 saves and Gergo Nagy scored twice as the Mallards blanked the Chill 5-0 in what was the Mallards' penultimate regular season game. The victory was the Mallards' (32-23-10, 74 points) third in a row overall and second in as many evenings in St. Charles while the defeat means the tenth place Chill (11-49-6, 28 points) finish the season on a nine game losing streak.
The Mallards took a 1-0 lead when Nagy's centering pass caromed in off St. Charles defenseman Zack Josepher at 10:19 of the first period. Mike Stinziani doubled the advantage with just two seconds left in the first by roofing the puck from the doorstep.
The Mallards outshot the Chill 18-4 in the second period but were not rewarded for their dominance in the middle frame until Jordan Mayer's tip-in stretched the lead to 3-0 with just a minute and 22 seconds remaining in the second.
In the third period, the Mallards put the game away with a pair special teams break away goals. Jeff Lee's shorthanded goal stretch the margin to 4-0 at 6:13 of the third. Nagy's power play goal capped off the win with just 52 seconds remaining.
The Mallards return home for their regular season finale tomorrow at 4:05 p.m. against the Missouri Mavericks. Tomorrow is Fan Appreciation Day at the iWireless Center. Fans can bring their skates to tomorrow's game and skate with the Mallards after that tilt. In addition, all fans in attendance will receive a coupon good for a free bag of popcorn at iWireless Center concession stands.
Tickets for tomorrow's game and for home playoff tilts can be purchased in person at the iWireless Center box office, online at ticketmaster.com, at Ticketmaster outlets or through Ticketmaster charge-by-phone toll free at 1-800-745-3000. The ticket office is open weekdays from 10:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., on Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. and on game days from 10:00 a.m. until the start of the second period.
About the Quad City Mallards
A proud affiliate of the National Hockey League's Minnesota Wild and the American Hockey League's Iowa Wild, the Quad City Mallards are in the midst of their seventeenth season their fourth in the Central Hockey League. One of the winningest teams in all of minor league hockey, the Mallards competed in the United Hockey League from 1995 through 2007 and in the International Hockey League in 2009-10. The Mallards' proud history has seen them capture the UHL's Colonial Cup Championship three times (1997, 1998, 2001) and secure that league's Tarry Cup four times (1998, 2000, 2001, 2002) for the best overall regular season record. In 2001, the Mallards made professional hockey history, recording their sixth consecutive season with 50 or more wins, a feat that has yet to be matched. The iWireless Center provides a unique environment for hockey and features one-of-a-kind seating areas such as the Nest for groups and functions and the exclusive Drake Club. For more information on the Quad City Mallards or for Mallards tickets go to www.myqcmallards.net. Fans can also follow the Mallards via Twitter at twitter.com/myqcmallards
Quad City Mallards vs. Rapid City Rush
Central Hockey League Playoffs, Round One
Game One: Friday, April 4 @ Rapid City
Game Two: Saturday, April 5 @ Rapid City
Game Three: Wednesday, April 9 @ Quad City
Game Four: Friday, April 11 @ Quad City
Game Five*: Saturday, April 12 @ Quad City
Game Six*: Tuesday, April 15 @ Rapid City
Game Seven*: Wednesday, April 16 @ Rapid City
*- if necessary
