MOLINE, Ill. (December 27, 2014) - Logan Nelson scored twice, Jeff Lee provided what proved to be the game winning goal in the third period and Parker Milner made 29 saves as the host Quad City Mallards (14-9-5) defeated the Brampton Beast (8-15-1) 4-3 Saturday night.
Lee scored from the left wing circle at 8:59 of the third to expand what had been a one-goal Mallard lead to 4-2 and trigger the replacement of Brampton starting goaltender Trevor Cann by Grant Rollheiser. Lee's goal loomed even larger after Calin Wild one timed Stephon Thorne's centering feed past Milner and cut the gap to 4-3 with just over four minutes remaining, but the Mallards would hold off Brampton the rest of the way- even after the Beast pulled Rollheiser for an extra attacker.
Nelson twice gave the Mallards the lead in the first period. Nelson's blast from the top of the right wing circle opened the scoring just two minutes and 12 seconds into the game. Tyler Donati cut in front of the Mallard net alone to even the score at 12:28 of the first. Nelson put the Mallards back on top with a another drive from the right wing circle at 16:40.
At 10:31 of the second period Pearce Eviston gave the Mallards a two-goal lead for the first time by swooping through the right wing circle and firing the puck home on the short side. Mathew Maione's rising backhander trimmed the Quad City advantage to 3-2 at 15:58 of the second but the Beast never could produce an equalizer.
Mallards' Rally Falls Short Against BeastMOLINE, Ill. (December 28, 2014) - Chad Painchaud scored twice and added an assist, Calin Wild provided what proved to be the game winning goal in the third period and Grant Rollheiser made 32 saves as the Brampton Beast (9-15-1) survived the host Quad City Mallards' (14-10-5) comeback bid to claim a 4-3 victory Sunday night.
Wild jammed the puck in from the doorstep at 3:49 of the third to give Brampton a 4-1 lead. Wild's goal proved vital after the Mallards scored twice in 14 seconds to cut the gap to 4-3. Jeff Lee crashed the net and scored the Mallards' second goal on the power play at 4:48. At 5:02 Mario Lamoureux's wrist shot from the left wing circle narrowed the Brampton lead to one, but the Mallards were unable to complete the rally
The Beast took control with three straight second period goals after the Mallards' Nicholas Rioux opened the scoring by rifling in a power play goal from the left wing circle at 5:03 of the second. Painchaud tipped in the equalizer at 7:02 and scored the tie breaker just 30 seconds later from the slot. Tyson Fawcett's wrist shot from the right wing circle stretched the margin to 3-1 at the 12:24 mark and led to Parker Milner replacing Evan Mosher in goal for the Mallards.
The Mallards return to action tomorrow night on the road against the Fort Wayne Komets. The Mallards next play at home Friday evening at 7:05 p.m. against the Missouri Mavericks. Friday also brings the return of $1 Dog/$1 Beer Night presented by 97X and MetroLINK. Fans can enjoy $1 hot dogs and beers from iWireless Center concession stands during all Friday home games. 97X will follow in the spirit of the evening by presenting hot dog-themed intermission entertainment.
Tickets for all remaining Mallards regular season home games- including Friday 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.
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 eighteenth season and their first in the ECHL. One of the winningest teams in all of minor league hockey, the Mallards competed in the United Hockey League from 1995 through 2007; in the International Hockey League in 2009-10; and in the Central Hockey League from 2010 through 2014. 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
