MOLINE, Ill. (April 26, 2014) - Mike Stinziani scored at 16:12 of overtime and Thomas Heemskerk made 45 saves as the host Quad City Mallards came from behind to defeat the Allen Americans 3-2 Saturday night and take a three games to two lead in the best-of-seven Central Hockey League semi-finals. The Mallards are now one victory away from their first finals appearance in 11 years.
Stinziani jammed the game winner in from the crease after Allen goaltender Bryan Pitton (29 saves) made an initial save on a spectacular solo rush by the Mallards' Justin Fox.
The Mallards' Jordan Mayer- who also had an assist- forced overtime by rifling in the tying goal from the slot with just 51 seconds left in regulation after the Mallards had pulled Heemskerk for an extra attacker.
The Mallards found themselves in need of a late goal after the Americans scored twice earlier in the third to turn a 1-0 deficit into a 2-1 lead. Allen was up a man when Alex Lavoie evened the score at one by burying Darryl Bootland's centering pass at 1:42 of the third. It was Bootland who pounced on a loose puck in the slot to break the deadlock at the 8:57 of the mark.
The Mallards had first moved in front while on the power play with just 33 seconds left in the first period when Mike Monfredo raced down the left wing and closed on the Allen net to finish off a give-and-go with Mayer.
Heemskerk, who was made a series of superb saves throughout the evening, was at his busiest while stopping 33 shots over the final two periods of regulation.
Should the Mallards win the series they will advance to the CHL President's Cup finals for the first time since entering the league in 2010 and play for a league title for the first time since reaching the United Hockey League finals in 2003.
The series shifts to Allen for game six next Tuesday night. If the series goes the distance, the Americans would host the seventh and deciding game next Wednesday evening.
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
