Dave Pszenyczny gave the Mavericks a lead they would never relinquish by putting the puck into a gaping net to open the scoring at 5:19 of the first period. Tyler Currier doubled the margin from a sharp angle at 11:34 of the first. The Mallards rebounded when Vladimir Nikiforov streaked down the slot to cut the gap to 2-1 at 14:49 of the opening frame.
Just as they did in the first, the Mavericks would outscore the Mallards 2-1 in the second period. Henrik Odegaard's tip-in made it 3-1 just ninety seconds into the second. The Mavericks were shorthanded when Anders Franzon- who also had an assist- scored the fourth Missouri goal from point blank range at the 6:50 mark. With just 12.8 seconds left in the second, the Mallards battled back to within two goals with Gabriel Levesque's backhander from the slot.
Evan Vossen weaved into the Mallard goalmouth and backhanded the fifth Maverick goal in under the crossbar at 6:03 of the third period.
The Mallards, who have qualified for the playoffs for the second year in a row, will begin the best-of-seven opening round in early April on a date to be announced against an opponent yet to be determined.
The Mallards and Mavericks meet again tomorrow in Independence, Missouri. The Mallards next return home when they play their final regular season game on Sunday, March 30 at 4:05 p.m. against the Mavericks. March 30 is Fan Appreciation Day at the iWireless Center. Fans can bring their skates to the March 30 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 the March 30 game 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
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