BETTENDORF, IA - The 41st Anniversary of the Quad-City Times Bix 7 again welcomes a full international field, but they will be joined by thousands of visiting bicyclists for the end of the Register's Annual Great Bike Ride Across Iowa (RAGBRAI) and new sponsors. Race director Ed Froehlich, in his 36th year, kicked off plans during a media event at Isle of Capri Casino Hotel.

Everyone will run, and ride, to Davenport on Saturday, July 25th, 2015. Registrations are being mailed in addition to availability at locations throughout the Quad City Area. Online entry is open at www.bix7.com with a valid Visa or MasterCard except for active duty military and active duty reserve forces which require a printed application.

Advance entries are only handled through the website, via mailed printed applications or those brought to the Quad-City Times building, 500 E. Third Street, Davenport. You can stay connected with news and training tips at www.facebook.com - Search Quad-City Times Bix 7 or www.twitter.com/@BixSeven.

Again this year, the Bix 7 offers free entry to any active duty military and active duty reserve forces. A printed application is required which has a line to list the military identification number. The entrant will also be required to present their military identification at packet pick up to confirm status.

Joining the event is Skechers USA as Official Shoe. The Bix 7 is the fourth event, with the Chevron Houston Marathon, Bolder Boulder 10K and Gate River Run 15K, to be sponsored through Skechers Performance Division. Based in Manhattan Beach, CA, Skechers USA designs, develops and markets a diverse range of lifestyle footwear for men, women and children as well as performance footwear for men and women. Learn more at www.skechers.com and www.skechersgorun.com.

Other changes include the newly-renamed Isle Casino's "Beat The Elite Race" where a runner chosen at random has an opportunity to finish ahead of the elite winner and win $2,500. Plus, the Alcoa Jr. Bix 7 now offers its young participants a new logo magnet along with the participation medal the children receive on the Friday evening of race weekend.

Also, every paid entrant can assist military veterans by adding a $5.00 contribution on the application to Genesis Health System Hospice's local chapter of the We Honor Veterans Program. Led by the Veterans Administration and hospice care providers, the national effort honors veterans nearing the end of life by celebrating their military service (www.genesishealth.com/services/home-health/hospice/we-honor-veterans/).

These complement the Premier Buick & GMC Dealers High School Challenge, the Quad City Bank & Trust Battle Up Brady, Swiss Valley Farms Quick Bix, VictoryStore.com Gregg Newell and Eloise Caldwell awards to top local male and female area finishers and Scott County Regional Authority All City Challenge.

"What a memorable weekend this will be," said Froehlich. "The Quad-City Times Bix 7 has been a place to celebrate homecomings and occasions. Having RAGBRAI finishing in Davenport as in 2011, and return of a fully international elite field of runners, the welcoming spirit of our community will be on full display."

MOLINE, Ill. (March 3, 2015) - The Mallards have teamed again with Pub 1848 to present Rivalry Weekend when the Mallards take on the Allen Americans on back-to-back promotion-packed evenings this Friday and Saturday at 7:05 p.m. at the iWireless Center.

This marks the second time the Mallards have partnered with Pub 1848 to celebrate one of the Flock's heated rivalries.  The Rivalry Weekend focus this year turns to the Americans after Allen edged the Mallards in a seven-game playoff battle last spring before going on to take the Central Hockey League title.  The rivalry has only heated up since both clubs made the move to the ECHL for this season and have grabbed the top two spots in the ECHL's Central Division.  The league-leading Americans have won two of the first three meetings between the teams. 

Before and after each of this weekend's games, fans can stop by Pub 1848- which is located just blocks from the iWireless Center at 1601 River Drive- to enjoy a host of giveaways, special drawings and promotions.  Prior to Friday evening's tilt, one lucky fan will win an authentic Mallards jersey worn by Joe Perry in last spring's playoffs.  Fans can also enjoy $1 beers at Pub 1848 both before and following Friday night's game. Before Saturday night's game one fan will win the chance to take in that evening's contest in the luxurious surroundings of an iWireless Center suite.  Both Friday and Saturday Pub 1848 will also provide the chance to win free tickets to the weekend's games.

Friday night's game also brings the return of $1 Dog/$1 Beer Night presented by 97X and MetroLINK.  Fans can get $1 hot dogs and beer at iWireless Center concession stands at all Mallards' Friday night home games.  97X will follow in the spirit of the evening by presenting hot dog-themed intermission entertainment.  The Mallards have once again partnered with Metro to provide transit service between Augustana College and downtown Moline during all Friday home games.  Students can catch the Route 10 on campus via 7th Avenue to and from the games, with the Route 10 dropping students off near campus or at the District after games.  Students can then hop on the Route 53 from the District back to Augustana until 3 a.m.  As part of Metro's unlimited ride program, Augustana riders can use their Augustana ID as their fare.  Fans can visit www.gogreenmetro.com or www.facebook.com/53and59 for more information.  

Saturday evening is John Deere Community Night.  Courtesy of John Deere, 2,000 tickets to Saturday's night game are available for just $5 while supplies last.  In addition, the first 1,000 fans ages 12 and under through the doors for Saturday evening's game will receive free Mallards youth replica jerseys courtesy of KWQC-TV6.

Wednesday, March 4, 7:05 p.m.

iWireless Center, Moline
Tulsa Oilers vs. Quad City Mallards

Friday, March 6, 7:05 p.m.
iWireless Center, Moline
Allen Americans vs. Quad City Mallards

Saturday, March 7, 7:05 p.m.
iWireless Center, Moline
Allen Americans vs. Quad City Mallards

LAST WEEK
Monday, February 23
Brampton 5 Quad City 2

Wednesday, February 25
Allen 4 Quad City 2

Friday, February 27
Quad City 3 Missouri 0

Saturday, February 28
Quad City 4 Missouri 2

Sunday, March 1

Missouri 3 Quad City 2 (SO)

Quad City
28-21-7, 63 points
2nd place, Central Division
Coach: Terry Ruskowski

Tulsa
27-24-4, 58 points
tied 3rd place, Central Division
Coach: Bruce Ramsay

Allen
37-10-7, 81 points

1st place, Central Division
Coach: Steve Martinson

QUACK TRACKS
Busy
The Mallards yesterday played their sixth game in eight days.  They went 3-2-1 during that stretch.

Three in Three
The Mallards earned five of six available points while playing three games in 48 hours against the Missouri Mavericks over the weekend.  The Mallards won in Independence 3-0 last Friday and 4-2 last Saturday before falling 3-2 in a shootout on home ice yesterday.

Second

By earning a point yesterday the second place Mallards widened their lead to five points over third place Tulsa and Rapid City in the ECHL's Central Division.

February
The Mallards went 8-6-0 while playing a whopping 14 games in February.

Home Sweet Home

The Mallards yesterday kicked off an eight-game homestand- their longest of the season.

On the Road
Last Saturday's win in Missouri was the Mallards' seventh road game out of eight overall.  They went 5-2-0 over those seven away tilts.

Shootout
Yesterday's setback dropped the Mallards' shootout record to 4-3 this season.

Blanked
Last Friday's 3-0 shutout of Missouri was Parker Milner's first as a Mallard and first since he made 17 saves to whitewash the Utah Grizzlies 1-0 as a member of the Stockton Thunder on February 15, 2014.  Milner has now posted three career shutouts.  Last Friday's was the Mallards' second shutout of the season.  Evan Mosher made 26 saves while blanking the Evansville IceMen 3-0 on New Year's Eve.

Early Bird Special
Last Monday's 5-2 loss in Brampton- a contest that started at 10:00 a.m. Central Time- was the Mallards' final game north of the border this season.

Red Light District
The Mallards allowed just four (non-shootout) goals in their three games against Missouri over the weekend.  The Mallards now ranks fifth in the ECHL in goals against per game (2.7).  They rank seventeenth in goals scored per game (3.0).

Special Teams

The Mallards gave up two shorthanded goals in the first four minutes and thirty seconds of last Saturday's 4-2 win in Missouri after allowing just one shorthanded goal in their prior 54 games.  They have gone 6-for-19 on the power play over their last four games to climb to ninth in the ECHL on the man advantage (18.3 percent).  The Mallards matched a season high by allowing two Missouri power play goals yesterday and now rank sixth in the league in penalty killing (84.9 percent).

Foxy

Justin Fox last Saturday night in Missouri scored his twentieth goal of the season to move into a tie with Joe Perry- who is now with the American Hockey League's Iowa Wild- for the team goal scoring lead.  Fox has recorded 12 points (five goals and seven assists) in his last 11 games.

Super Mario
Mario Lamoureux's five game point and assist streak (1-6-7) ended yesterday against Missouri.  Lamoureux has notched 14 points (three goals and 11 assists) in his last 11 games.  He ranks fourth in the ECHL in assists (42) and is tied for fifth in points (59). 

Full Nelson
Rookie Logan Nelson has scored five goals in his last five games and produced six points (five goals and one assist) in his last six outings.

Between the Pipes
After giving up five goals before being replaced by Mosher in the third period of last Monday's loss in Brampton, Milner rebounded by not only shutting out Missouri last Friday but also turning aside 50 of 52 Mavericks shots while backstopping the Mallards to victories both Friday and Saturday in Independence.  Milner ranks fourth in the ECHL in goals against average (2.29) and save percentage (.921).

Milestones
Darren McMillan recorded his two hundredth career point- an assist- last Friday at Missouri.

Head to Head
The Mallards have gone 3-2-0 against the Oilers this season and have split a pair of home games against Tulsa.  All-time the Mallards have gone 11-9-0 against the Oilers and have registered a 7-3-0 home record against Tulsa...The Mallards have gone 1-2-0 against Allen this season.  Last Wednesday's game was the first between the Mallards and Americans at the iWireless Center this season.  All-time, the Mallards have posted a regular season record of 4-7-1 against the Americans and have gone 2-4-0 at home against Allen.

Ins and Outs
The Mallards waived forward Evan Haney last Friday...Antti Pusa is on 21-day injured reserve retroactive to February 7... Pusa (out 12 games) and Johnny Rogic (18 games) have both been sidelined by upper body injuries.

UPCOMING HOME GAMES
Wednesday, March 4, 7:05 p.m.- Mallards vs. Tulsa Oilers

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 Wednesday's game fans can join the Mallards at T.G.I. Friday's on River Drive in Moline for a postgame party.

Friday, March 6, 7:05 p.m.- Mallards vs. Allen Americans

$1 Dog/$1 Beer Friday presented by 97X and MetroLINK
Fans again this season 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.  The Mallards have once again partnered with Metro to provide transit service between Augustana College and downtown Moline during all Friday home games.  Students can catch the Route 10 on campus via 7th Avenue to and from the games, with the Route 10 dropping students off near campus or at the District after games.  Students can then hop on the Route 53 from the District back to Augustana until 3 a.m.  As part of Metro's unlimited ride program, Augustana riders can use their Augustana ID as their fare.  Fans can visit www.gogreenmetro.com or www.facebook.com/53and59 for more information.  

Rooster's Sports Bar & Grill
For Friday home games the Mallards have joined with Rooster's Sports Bar & Grill in Rock Island to offer fans the chance to get a lower level ticket to the Mallards' game along with an appetizer and drink at Rooster's and a Metro bus ride to the game from Rooster's and back for just $20.  For more information fans can contact Rooster's at 309-283-7005.

Saturday, March 7, 7:05 p.m.- Mallards vs. Allen Americans

John Deere Community Night; KWQC-TV6 Mallards Youth Jersey Giveaway
Courtesy of John Deere, 2,000 tickets to Saturday's game are available for just $5 while supplies last.  In addition, the first 1,000 fans ages 12 and under through the doors for Saturday evening's game will receive free Mallards youth replica jerseys courtesy of KWQC-TV6.

IN THE COMMUNITY
Monday, March 2 through Friday, March 6
Mississippi Valley Regional Blood Center
Fans who donate blood at Mississippi Valley Regional Blood Center this week will receive a free to ticket to any remaining Mallards regular season home game.  Fans can go to bloodcenter.org to find the nearest Mississippi Valley Regional Blood Center. 

Sunday, March 8, 1:00 to 4:00 p.m.
Kittan District Boy Scout Pinewood Derby
Mascot Mo Mallard will join the fun at the Kittan District Pinewood Derby Sunday afternoon at Modern Woodmen Park in Davenport.

Monday, March 9, 5:00 to 7:00 p.m.
7-Eleven
Mallards players will be signing autographs next Monday, March 9 from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. at four 7-Eleven's: 3718 John Deere Road in Moline, 105 West 1st Avenue in Coal Valley, 1026 16th Avenue in East Moline and 1000 78th Avenue West in Rock Island.  Customers will receive a complimentary ticket to the Mallards' Saturday, April 11, regular season finale against the Tulsa Oilers if they stop by any time to purchase a 20-pack of Pepsi and a large 7-Eleven pizza at Quad Cities area 7-Eleven locations in Illinois. 

Tuesday, March 10, 1:00 to 2:00 p.m.
United Way
Mallards players will team with the United Way to make their monthly visit to five area elementary schools to encourage and academic achievement and improved attendance among students.

Thursday, March 12, 6:00 to 9:00 p.m.
Tip-A-Mallard
Tip-A-Mallard returns to the Bier Stube in Moline and LeClaire next Thursday, March 12 from 6:00 to 9:00 p.m.  Mallards players will wait tables with all tips going to the Wounded Warrior Project.

Friday, March 13, 1:00 p.m.
Winola Elementary School Jump Rope for Heart
Mascot Mo Mallard will help kick off the American Heart Association Jump Rope for Heart at Winola Elementary School in Viola, Illinois on Friday, March 13 at 1:00 p.m.  Students who raise more than $50 in donations will receive a free ticket to the Mallards' Saturday, April 11 regular season finale against the Tulsa Oilers.

Friday, March 13, 5:00 to 6:00 p.m.
Disc Replay
Fans can meet Mallards players at Disc Replay in the North Park Mall next Friday, March 13.  Mallards will be signing autographs between 5:00 and 6:00 p.m. at Disc Replay.

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 Wednesday night's meeting with Tulsa- 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 or through Ticketmaster charge-by-phone toll free.  The box office is open weekdays from 10:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., on Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. and on game days from 10:00 a.m. until the start of the second period.

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.com.

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NEW LIBERTY, Iowa - Registration is now open for the second annual One Tough Cookie 5k.

The mud and obstacle race offers a fun, family-friendly environment for new and seasoned runners.

The course will test athletes' strength with log rolls and agility with mud climbs. Runners will trudge across the winding trails of a beautiful 300-acre property usually closed off to the public.

"From fire-breathing athletes to beginners who just want to have fun with their families and friends, this event will have something for everyone," said Race Director Jayme Ironside.

The One Tough Cookie 5k is scheduled for Saturday, June 6, 2015, at Camp Conestoga, a property owned by Girl Scouts of Eastern Iowa and Western Illinois.

Men, women, children and groups who register prior to May 1 will receive an early registration discount.

As a charity race, 100 percent of proceeds from the One Tough Cookie 5k will benefit leadership programs for approximately 18,000 Girl Scouts who are dedicated to making the world a better place.

More information about the race and how to register is available online: OneToughCookieRace.com

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