MALLARDS WEEKLY UPDATE: DECEMBER 2, 2013
THIS WEEK
Friday, December 6, 7:05 p.m.
iWireless Center
Brampton Beast vs. Quad City Mallards
Saturday, December 7, 7:05 p.m.
iWireless Center
Brampton Beast vs. Quad City Mallards
Sunday, December 8, 4:05 p.m.
iWireless Center
Brampton Beast vs. Quad City Mallards
LAST WEEK
Wednesday, November 27
Missouri 5 Quad City 4 (SO)
Friday, November 29
Quad City 4 St. Charles 3
Saturday, November 30
Quad City 9 Tulsa 3
Quad City
7-3-4 (18 points)
7th place
Coach: Terry Ruskowski
Brampton
10-8-1 (21 points)
6th place
Coach: Mark DeSantis
QUACK TRACKS
Happy Holiday
The Mallards went 2-0-1 in three Thanksgiving week games, rebounding with back-to-back home victories over the weekend after suffering a shootout loss last Wednesday at Missouri.
Explosion
The Mallards set a team season high for goals in a game in last Saturday's 9-3 thrashing of the Tulsa Oilers and matched a league season high by scoring seven times in the second period of that game. Prior to last Saturday, the Mallards last scored nine goals in one game and seven in one period in a 9-6 defeat of the Bloomington Blaze on February 8 of last season.
Streaking
The Mallards are unbeaten in regulation in their last six games (3-0-3). and have lost just once in regulation in their last nine games (5-1-3).
416
With last Saturday's victory, Mallards coach Terry Ruskowski moved past Chris Stewart into third place all-time with 416 career Central Hockey League wins. Ruskowski is in his second season behind the Mallard bench and his twelfth in the CHL. He previously piloting the Laredo Bucks- with whom he twice won the President's Cup title- and the Rio Grande Valley Killer Bees in the CHL.
Home Sweet Home
The Mallards last weekend kicked off a five-game homestand with consecutive victories at the iWireless Center. The Mallards have now won four straight home games overall.
Shootout
The Mallards halted a team record-setting streak of four consecutive shootouts when they defeated St. Charles in regulation last Friday. The Mallards went 1-3 in those four shootouts, losing the last three during that stretch.
On the Road
With last Wednesday's shootout loss in Missouri, the Mallards' finished a run of five straight road games 1-1-3.
Comeback Kids
The Mallards led wire-to-wire last Saturday'after coming from behind to earn at least a point in their prior five games (2-0-3) and trailing at some point in each of their previous seven- a stretch during which they went 3-1-3.
Goals, Goals, Goals
Last Saturday's nine goal outburst capped off a week that saw the Mallards total 17 goals over three games to retake the league lead in goals per game (4.1).
Catch-Up
The Mallards have played fewer games (14) than any other CHL club. The league-leading Rapid City Rush and second place Mavericks have played the next fewest (16) while the Oilers have already played a league high 21 games. Because they have played less hockey than any other club, the Mallards find themselves in seventh place despite boasting the fourth best winning percentage (.643) in the CHL.
Rookie Roll
By collecting four assists last Saturday, rookie Thomas Frazee set a team season high for assists in one game and matched the Mallard single game season high for points. Frazee notched at least two points in each of the Mallards' three games last week and totaled nine points (four goals and five assists) while posting a plus/minus rating of +8 over that stretch . Frazee, who is also in the midst of a five game point scoring streak (4-7-11), rang up 17 points (five goals and 12 assists) over 11 games in the month of November.
General Lee
Jeff Lee scored four times and totaled seven points in three games last week. Last Saturday, Lee not only scored twice and added an assist but also matched a CHL single game season high by posting a plus/minus of +5.
Rapid Fire
Lee and Frazee scored just 18 seconds apart in the third period of last Friday's win over St. Charles. Those rapid fire strikes were the fastest two goals scored by the Mallards this season.
Between The Pipes
Thomas Heemskerk remains unbeaten in regulation (3-0-2) after making 35 saves in last Saturday's win. Ty Rimmer has gone 2-0-1 in his last three games with a 2.21 goals against average and a .926 save percentage.
Leaders
Mike Stinziani scored three times in two games last weekend and is now tied for tenth in the league in goals (8)...Frazee is tied for eighth in plus/minus (+10). Among rookies Frazee ranks second in assists (12), is tied for third in points (17) and is tied for sixth in goals (5)...Heemskerk ranks fifth in save percentage (.913) and eighth in goals against average (2.88).
Milestones
Matt Duffy has notched 99 career points...Darren McMillan has collected 96 career CHL assists
Special Teams
The Mallards ranks seventh in the CHL in power play efficiency (16.1 percent) and lead the league in power plays per game (6.2). The Mallards, who have successfully completed 22 of their last 23 penalty kills, rank third in penalty killing (84.9 percent) on the season. They have scored three shorthanded goals in their last three games and now rank third in the league in shorthanded goals (3).
Head to Head
On November 2, the Beast won its first ever meeting with the Mallards 4-3 at the iWireless Center. The two clubs will meet at total of 13 times this season.
UPCOMING HOME GAMES
Friday, December 6, 7:05 p.m. - Mallards vs. Brampton Beast
$1 Dog/$1 Beer Night Presented by 97X
Every Friday night home game this season is a $1 Dog/$1 Beer Night presented by 97X. Fans will be able to purchase $1 beer and $1 hot dogs at iWireless Center concession stands during each of those Friday tilts.
Rivalry Weekend Presented by Pub 1848
The Mallards have teamed with Pub 1848 to present Rivalry Weekend when the Mallards play three straight home games against the Beast, their newest rival from north of the border, this weekend.
Saturday, December 7, 7:05 p.m.- Mallards vs. Brampton Beast
Toys for Tots
The Mallards will join in the spirit of the holiday season by accepting Toys for Tots donations at their games Saturday and Sunday. Fans will receive $3 off a ticket to either of those games for each new toy they donate at the iWireless Center.
Sunday, December 8, 7:05 p.m.- Mallards vs. Brampton Beast
Toys for Tots
The Mallards will join in the spirit of the holiday season by accepting Toys for Tots donations at their games Saturday and Sunday. Fans will receive $3 off a ticket to either of those games for each new toy they donate at the iWireless Center.
Harris Pizza Puck and Pizza Package
With the Harris Pizza Puck and Pizza Package, fans can purchase four lower level tickets for just $55 or four upper level seats for only $45 and receive a certificate for a free large single topping pizza from Harris Pizza! The Puck and Pizza Package is available for Wednesday and Sunday games. The Puck and Pizza Package is available at the iWireless Center Box Office.
ON THE AIR
Fox Sports Radio 1230 is the radio home of Mallards Hockey Presented by Genesis Power Sports Performance. Mallards games broadcast on AM 1230 also stream live online at www.wfxn.net. A limited number of Mallards games- including Sunday's contest- will not air on Fox Sports Radio 1230 due to conflicts with University of Illinois basketball and football and Green Bay Packer football. Free audio webcasts of games that do not air on AM 1230 are available at myqcmallards.com. CHL-TV pay-per-view video webcasts of all Mallards games are also available at myqcmallards.com. For a full Mallards broadcast/webcast schedule, go to myqcmallards.com/schedule/
TICKETS
Single Game Tickets
Single game tickets for all Mallards regular season contests are now available. Fans can contact the Mallards at (309) 277-1364 orinfo@myqcmallards.
Group Tickets
Groups of at least ten can receive savings off the walk-up price and a host of other great group benefits. Mallards group tickets are a great fit for youth organizations, friends, co-workers, family groups, religious groups, school functions and business events. For more group ticket information, fans can contact the Mallards at (309) 277-1364 or info@myqcmallards.
