INDEPENDENCE, Mo. (January 24, 2015) - Josh Brittain and Jack Downing scored third period goals and Mike Clemente made 26 saves as the host Missouri Mavericks (15-19-4) survived a late scare to hold off the Quad City Mallards (18-14-6) 2-1 Saturday night.

Brittain broke a scoreless deadlock from the doorstep just 39 seconds into the third.  Downing swooped into the right wing circle to double the Maverick lead at 8:10.  

The Mallards were on the power play when Joe Perry cut the gap to 2-1 by burying a rebound with 5:37 remaining.  The Mallards twice came within inches of tying the game in the final seconds while up 6-on-4 after going on the power play and pulling goaltender Parker Milner (29 saves).  Missouri first escaped when the Mavs' Jared Brown swept the puck away from the goal line with the net gaping; with just 7 seconds left Nicholas Rioux fired the Mallards' final chance off the crossbar.

The Mallards return to action at home next Wednesday night at 7:05 p.m. against the Wichita Thunder.  Fans can get four tickets to Mallards Wednesday night home games for just $20.  After each Wednesday night home tilt, fans can join the Mallards at T.G.I. Friday's in Moline for a postgame party.

In the past 30 years, obesity has more than doubled in young children and quadrupled in adolescents, potentially leading to a host of chronic diseases later in life, according to the Centers for Disease Control.

Conversely, the CDC reports that regular physical activity provides a long list of physical benefits for children, but that's not all. Daily exercise also promotes mental and emotional well-being that includes self-esteem.

"By now, I don't think anyone is surprised that regular exercise is good for children and inactivity is places them at risk for illnesses later in life, but when you take a moment to consider the data in-depth for children who exercise and play organized sports, the details of a child's future come to life," says Danyel Surrency Jones, president of Power To Give and co-founder of Powerhandz Inc., (powerhandz.com), a company specializing in athletic training products to improve performance in baseball, basketball and football.

Danyel and her business partner and husband, Darnell Jones, a former professional basketball player who also co-founded Powerhandz, want kids in their community and beyond to benefit from the values learned from youth sports. That's why they created the Power To Give program, which promotes positive development.

"We believe in the power of sports to change a kid's life for the better," says Darnell, who lists five significant benefits of youth sports.

•  Cultivates a positive attitude: Sports are demanding. Come game time, a young athlete wouldn't last long with a negative mindset. "Practice is no cakewalk either," Darnell says. "As adults, we understand the need to hype ourselves before hitting the gym. The rewarding feeling we get walking out from the gym is similar to what young people feel after a game or tough practice."

•  Offers a sense of accomplishment, confidence and self-esteem: As the CDC noted, simply being physically active builds self-esteem. We are physical beings who are not meant to sit in front of a videogame for several consecutive hours. "Again, if you're a physically active adult, you feel that sense of accomplishment in outdoing your last performance at the gym," Danyel says. "Kids feel a similar way learning new skills and succeeding in a game, except more so."

•  Builds better peer relationships: Kids want to fit in, but it's not always easy. Organized sports hurdles the high wall of social awkwardness so many children feel. Team sports such as baseball, basketball and football demand participants to work together for a common goal, which is a valuable lesson some adults still haven't learned while interacting at work.

•  More restraint in avoiding risky behavior: Ideally, parents can get their children engaged - in anything that's productive, really. Bored or disengaged children have a way of getting into trouble. A student is less likely to misbehave in class or break the law if it means getting kicked off the team of a sport they love.

•  Greater family attachment and frequent interactions with parents: Famous athletes say it all the time, "Thanks Mom. Thanks for driving me to and from practice, and thanks for showing up at the games." And that doesn't even count helping a child with actual practice - playing catch, squaring off one-on-one, etc.

About Danyel Surrency Jones and Darnell Jones

Danyel Surrency Jones is COO and Co-Founder of Powerhandz Inc., (powerhandz.com), which specializes in performance-enhancing training products for athletes. Danyel is a business leader who led sales and marketing departments for over 17 years, sat on non-for-profit boards and invested in early stage companies. Darnell Jones is an entrepreneur and investor, athlete and sales professional. Before cofounding Powerhandz, he was a team captain and academic all-conference basketball player at Mesa State College before he went on to play for the Utah Eagles of the former Continental Basketball Association. Danyel and Darnell created the Power To Give- Building Character Through Athletics, which help fund athletic programs in financially challenged communities.

World's Toughest Rodeo, the premiere national rough stock only tour, presents this two and a half hour event starring professional cowboys and cowgirls from across the nation. Fans will once again get the opportunity to cheer on the world of rodeo's top bucking horses and bulls as well as enjoy some of the nation's most talented entertainment acts.

Want to see a little local talent? World's Toughest Rodeo invites some of the toughest little buckaroos to hold on tight in the "Mutton Bustin!"   These little buckaroos will spice up the show with the fan favorite event of sheep riding. Who knows, you may be witnessing a new future World Champion in action!

Fans will be served up an exciting slate of competition but only at World's Toughest Rodeo will the top two in each event return in our feature event of the night, the Showdown Bonus Round. The toughest cowboys will be matched with the rankest bucking horses and bulls in our supercharged finale event. It's edge of your seat action, 8 seconds at a time.

Fun is on the menu whether you are 6 or 66. World's Toughest offers a plate of hospitality served up with a western experience fans of all ages will never forget. The arena opens from 6 - 7 p.m. nightly so fans can get "down in the dirt" with World's Toughest Rodeo.  Both educational and entertaining... fans can meet cowboys, cowgirls and entertainers for autographs.  Pony rides for kids are free!!! Have you ever wanted to sit on a live bull? Midnight, the 2000lb bull and the World's Toughest Rodeo's superstar, will be in the chutes for an experience you can only get at World's Toughest Rodeo. Don't forget your camera. Take a behind the chutes tour and meet and visit with the World's Toughest Rodeo staff and see the beautiful animal athletes up close and personal.

Tickets are $18.00, $25.00, 35.00 or 57.00 for Gold Buckle Seating and kids are half price(excluding Gold Buckle seating). For additional savings LIKE them on Facebook www.facebook.com/worldstoughestrodeo and save $5 with code WTRFB. Don't miss an exclusive opportunity to purchase a Gold Buckle package (limited number) which includes chute side seats, a World's Toughest Rodeo Tour t-shirt and VIP meet and greet from 5:45 - 6:00 each night... all for just $57. Make it a night you won't forget at World's Toughest Rodeo.

Get you tickets for World's Toughest Rodeo at the iWireless Center, located at 1201 River Drive in Moline. For ticket information please see iwirelesscenter.com or ticketmaster.com, order by phone at (800) 359-2525. For group rates and information,call Lindsey at 309.277.1356 or email llobur@iwirelesscenter.com.