MOLINE, Ill. (January 19, 2015) - Defenseman Nicholas Rioux has returned to the Quad City Mallards from the American Hockey League's Iowa Wild, the Mallards announced today.
Rioux, 28, rejoins the Mallards after last Friday signing a professional tryout agreement with Iowa for the second time this season and playing for the Wild in a 4-0 loss to the Rockford IceHogs last Friday night and in a 4-1 victory over the Lake Erie Monsters the following evening. The 6' 1", 205-pound Riviere-du-Loup, Quebec, native has now played a total of five AHL games this season during which he has recorded a plus/minus rating of +1 without registering a point. Over the last two seasons Rioux has skated in 13 games for Iowa.
Rioux has scored two goals and added twelve assists for 14 points while posting a plus/minus rating of +3 in 31 games with the Mallards this year. His was the eighth AHL call-up for a Mallard this season. Rioux played alongside defenseman Benjamin Dieude-Fauvel, who was promoted from the Mallards last month, in Des Moines. Goaltender Parker Milner returned to the Mallards from Iowa last Thursday.
MALLARDS WEEKLY UPDATE: JANUARY 19, 2015
THIS WEEK
Saturday, January 24, 7:05 p.m.
Independence Events Center
Quad City Mallards vs. Missouri Mavericks
LAST WEEK
Friday, January 16
Rapid City 4 Quad City 3 (OT)
Sunday, January 18
Quad City
18-13-6, 42 points
tied 2nd place, Central Division
Coach: Terry Ruskowski
Missouri
14-18-4, 32 points
6th place, Central Division
Coach: Richard Matvichuk
QUACK TRACKS
Last Weekend
The Mallards earned three of four available points from two games against Rapid City last weekend, rebounding from last Friday's 4-3 overtime loss to defeat the Rush 3-1 yesterday.
Deadlock
With yesterday's win the Mallards moved into a three-way tie with the Tulsa Oilers and Wichita Thunder for second place in the ECHL's Central Division. The Mallards have four games in hand on Tulsa and one game in hand on Wichita.
Home Sweet Home
The Mallards yesterday finished a four-game homestand with a record of 2-1-1.
All-Star Break
The Mallards have reached the All-Star break of their first ECHL campaign after yesterday kicking off the second half of their 72-game regular season schedule. The Mallards are just behind the pace they set through 37 games last year. They notched 46 points over the first 37 games of their final Central Hockey League season.
Workin' Overtime
With last Friday's setback the Mallards fell to 1-4 in games settled in overtime this season.
Red Light District
The Mallards rank in the top ten in the ECHL in both goals scored and goals allowed per game. They are seventh in goals against per game (2.8) and tenth in goals scored per outing (3.1).
Special Teams
After surviving 18 of their foes' last 19 power plays, the Mallards are now tied for ninth in the ECHL in penalty killing (84.5 percent). The Mallards have gone 1-for-21 on the man advantage over their last four games and rank eighteenth in the league in power play efficiency (15.5 percent).
Shorty
Mario Lamoureux last Friday against Rapid City scored the Mallards' first shorthanded goal of the season.
Super Mario
Lamoureux has collected two points in each of his last two games (two goals and two assists) and in three of his last four games, is on a four-game point scoring streak (3-4-7) and has 13 points (seven goals and six assists) in his last ten games. Lamoureux is now tied for fourth in the ECHL in assists (25) and tied for seventh in points (39).
Foxy
Justin Fox has 13 points (three goals and ten assists) in his last 12 games.
Between the Pipes
Parker Milner ranks fifth in the ECHL in save percentage (.919) and eighth in goals against average (2.39). Evan Mosher ranks sixth in save percentage (.918).
Milestones
With an assist last Friday against Rapid City Darren McMillan reached 197 career points.
Head to Head
Saturday night's game will be the sixth of 15 this season between the Mallards and Mavericks. The Mallards have gone 1-2-2 against the Mavs this year and 0-1-1 against Missouri on home ice. All-time, the Mallards have posted a 17-22-2 overall record against the Mavericks and have gone 7-10-1 at home against Missouri.
Ins and Outs
Nicholas Rioux returned to the Mallards today after last Friday signing a professional tryout agreement with the AHL's Iowa Wild...Paxton Leroux (upper body injury) has missed the Mallards' last five games...Kevin Baker returned to the Mallard lineup last Friday against Rapid City after missing the Mallards' previous eight games (upper body injury)... Parker Milner returned from Iowa last Thursday.
NEXT HOME GAME
Wednesday, January 28, 7:05 p.m.- Mallards vs. Wichita Thunder
4 Tickets for $20; T.G.I. Friday's Postgame Party
Fans can get four tickets for just $20 for each Wednesday home game. After each Wednesday home tilt fans can join the Mallards at T.G.I. Friday's on River Drive in Moline for a postgame party.
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 will not air on Fox Sports Radio 1230 due to conflicts with University of Illinois basketball and football and Green Bay Packer football. ECHL-TV pay-per-view video webcasts and free audio webcasts of all Mallards games are also available at myqcmallards.net.
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 or info@myqcmallards.com for more information about tickets. Single game tickets are also available at the iWireless Center box office, at Ticketmaster outlets, through www.ticketmaster.com
Group Tickets
Groups of at least ten receive savings off the walk-up price and a host of 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.
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