MOLINE, Ill. (January 2, 2015) - Josh Brittain's second goal of the game broke a 2-2 tie with just 1:55 left in the third period and the Missouri Mavericks (14-13-5) went on to defeat the host Quad City Mallards (16-11-5) 4-2 Friday night. Despite the defeat the Mallards remain in second place in the ECHL's Central Division.
Brittain scored the game winner from the right point and set the stage for Chris Crane to score the clinching empty net goal with just over a minute remaining after the Mallards had battled back from 2-0 down to tie the score. Mario Lamoureux pounced on a rebound for the equalizer at 9:34 of the third. The Mallards first got on the scoreboard when Antti Pusa buried Justin Fox's centering pass at 14:26 of the first period.
The Mavericks built their 2-0 lead with first period goals from Brittain and Jared Brown. Brown's drive from the top of the left wing circle opened the scoring at 6:56 of the first. The Mavericks were on the power play when Brittain doubled the advantage from the doorstep at 11:29.
WICHITA, Kan. (January 3, 2015) - R. G. Flath broke a 2-2 tie with 4:30 left in the third period and the host Wichita Thunder (16-10-5) held on to edge the undermanned Quad City Mallards (16-12-5) 3-2 Saturday night and move into a tie for second place in the ECHL's Central Division with the Mallards.
Flath scored the game's first even strength goal off a give-and-go with Danick Gauthier to cap off a third period Thunder rally. The Mallards entered the third on top 2-1 but that lead disappeared when Kenton Miller tipped in Wichita's second power play goal and the fourth of the game at 2:16 of the third.
The Mallards had forged in front with successive second period man advantage goals. Joe Perry tied the game at one by rifling the puck in from the left wing circle at 7:36 of the second. The Mallards took the lead when Todd Fiddler- who assisted on Perry's goal- pounced on a rebound at 15:34.
The Thunder was up 5-on-3 when Ian Lowe one timed the opening goal from the high slot at 17:56 of the first period.
The Mallards dressed just 14 skaters Saturday evening due to injuries and illness.
The Mallards next play at home next Wednesday evening at 7:05 p.m. against Wichita. Fans can purchase four tickets to each Mallards Wednesday home game this season for just $20. In addition, after each Wednesday home contest, fans can join the Mallards at T.G.I. Friday's on River Drive in Moline- adjacent to the iWireless Center- for a postgame party.
Tickets for all remaining Mallards regular season home games- including next Wednesday night's contest- are on sale now at the iWireless Center box office, Ticketmaster outlets, ticketmaster.com and Ticketmaster charge-by-phone toll free at 1-800-745-3000. The box office is open weekdays from 10:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. and game days from 10:00 a.m. until the start of the second period. Tickets are available for $10, $16, $20 and $28.
