THIS WEEK
Thursday, November 6, 6:00 p.m. CST
Powerade Center, Brampton

Quad City Mallards vs. Brampton Beast

 

Friday, November 7, 6:00 p.m. CST

Powerade Center, Brampton

Quad City Mallards vs. Brampton Beast

Sunday, November 9, 1:00 p.m. CST

Powerade Center, Brampton

Quad City Mallards vs. Brampton Beast

LAST WEEK
Tuesday, October 28

Quad City 4 Rapid City 1

Friday, October 31

Cincinnati 3 Quad City 2

Saturday, November 1
Cincinnati 5 Quad City 4

Quad City
2-3-0-0, 4 points
tied 4th place, Central Division
Coach: Terry Ruskowski

Brampton
0-3-1-0, 1 point
7th place, Central Division
Coach: Brent Hughes

QUACK TRACKS
Cincy Sweep

The Mallards suffered back-to-back one-goal home losses to the Cincinnati Cyclones last weekend.  Those two games were the Mallards' first two match-ups with a club that, unlike the Mallards and the rest of the Central Division, is not new to the ECHL this season.

Best-of-Three

The Mallards started last week with a 4-1 win in Rapid City Tuesday.  That victory was the Mallards' second in a season-opening stretch of three consecutive tilts against the Rush.

 

Foxy

Justin Fox scored twice last Saturday- the first multiple goal game for a Mallard this season- and has collected four points (two goals and two assists) in his last three games to move into a tie for the team lead in goals (with Benjamin Dieude-Fauvel and Joe Perry) and points (with Dieude-Fauvel).  Fox also posted a plus-minus rating of +5 in his three games last week.

Rookie Run
Rookie Pearce Eviston has notched four assists in his last four games to take over the team lead.

 

On the Road

After playing four of their first five games at home the Mallards now play five straight games in Brampton, eight of their next 11 away from home and 14 of their next 18 on the road.

Home Sweet Home?

The Mallards dropped back-to-back home games last weekend and have lost three of their first four home games.

Firsts
Parker Milner made 28 saves while earning his first win as a Mallard and Evan Haney and Johnny Rogic picked up their first career points- assists for both- last Tuesday at Rapid City.  Last Friday against Cincinnati Logan Nelson played his first career game while Antti Pusa, Jani Hakanpaa and Mario Lamoureux made their Mallard debuts with Finns Pusa and Hakanpaa both scoring.

Two Hundred Seventy-Seventh

Kevin Baker scored his first Mallard goal- and the two hundred seventy-seventh of his career- last Tuesday in Rapid City.

History

Captain Darren McMillan moved past Andy Fermoyle into fifth place in team history by playing his two hundred seventy-sixth career game for the Mallards last Tuesday at Rapid City.

 

Special Teams

The Mallards gave up two goals on four Cincinnati power plays last Saturday after giving up just two goals in their first four games on 15 penalty kills.  The Mallards now rank twentieth in the ECHL in penalty killing (78.9 percent).  Justin Fox scored the Mallards' second power play goal of the season last Saturday.  The Mallards rank nineteenth on the man advantage (12.5 percent).

Best Shot
The Mallards outshot the Cyclones 31-27 last Saturday after being outshot in each of their first four games.  The Mallards rank twenty four in the league in shots per game (25.2) and twenty-fifth in shots allowed (32.0).

Head to Head

The Mallards went 7-3-3 against the Beast last season and posted a 4-1-1 record in Brampton.  After meeting the Beast in Brampton this Thursday and Friday and again next Sunday, the Mallards will head back to the Quad Cities and then make a return trip north of the border for games against the Beast on Friday, November 14 and Sunday, November 16.

Ins and Outs

Defenseman Jani Hakanpaa was reassigned to the Mallards from the AHL's Chicago Wolves by the NHL's St. Louis Blues last Thursday and then reassigned to the Wolves today...Forward Evan Haney was placed on the Mallards' reserve list last Thursday and then activated last Saturday when Forward Kevin Baker was moved to the reserve list...Forward Todd Fiddler returned to the Mallard line-up last Friday.  Fiddler missed last Tuesday night's win in Rapid City after being suspended one game for incurring a major penalty (kneeing) and game misconduct October 25 against Rapid City... Forwards Kyle Thomas, Garrett Vermeersch and Ben Woodley were released last Thursday... Forward Antti Pusa was activated from the reserve list last Thursday... Defenseman Nicholas Rioux signed a professional tryout agreement with the AHL's Iowa Wild last Wednesday...The Mallards acquired forward Mario Lamoureux from the Ontario Reign in exchange for future considerations last Tuesday.

UPCOMING HOME GAMES
Wednesday, November 19, 7:05 p.m.- Mallards vs. Tulsa Oilers
Four Tickets for $20; Postgame Party at T.G.I. Friday's
Fans can purchase four tickets to each Mallards Wednesday home game for just $20.  In addition, after each Wednesday home contest, fans can join the Mallards at T.G.I. Friday's on River Drive in Moline- adjacent to the iWireless Center- for a postgame party.

 

Friday, November 21, 7:05 p.m.- Mallards vs. Rapid City Rush

$1 Dog/$1 Beer Friday presented by 97X and MetroLINK
Fans again this season will 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.

Saturday, November 22, 7:05 p.m.- Mallards vs. Rapid City Rush

Lighting on the Commons

Fans who attend Lighting on the Commons on John Deere Commons just before the Mallards' game against the Rush will receive a free youth ticket with the purchase of an adult ticket to that Mallards tilt.

 

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 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.

-### Quad City Mallards ### -
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MOLINE, Ill. (October 31, 2014) - Joe Basaraba had a goal and and assist, Stephan Vigier delivered what proved to be the game winner and Sam Brittain made 20 saves in his professional debut as  the Cincinnati Cyclones (2-1-0-0) defeated the host Quad City Mallards (2-2-0-0) 3-2 Friday night.

The Cyclones twice in the second period staked themselves to two-goal leads.  At 7:44 of the second Byron Froese scored in a goalmouth scramble to double what had been a 1-0 Cincinnati advantage.  The Mallards' Antti Pusa cut the gap in half from the slot at 13:55, but Vigier would respond by scoring the third Cincinnati goal from the high slot at the 18:30 mark.

Jani Hakanpaa intercepted a pass and weaved between the circles to snap a backhander past Brittain and make it a one-goal game at 11:52 of the third period but the Mallards could not complete the comeback.

The Cyclones had first moved in front with just 18.2 seconds left in the first period.  Basaraba's wrist shot from the high slot opened the scoring.

The Mallards host the Cyclones again tomorrow at 7:05 p.m. on Military Appreciation Night.  Tickets for tomorrow evening's game are available to current and former military personnel and their families for just $5.  Single game tickets for all remaining Mallards regular season home games- including tomorrow night's- are on sale now at the iWireless Center box office, Ticketmaster outlets, ticketmaster.com and Ticketmaster charge-by-phone toll free at 1-800-745-3000.  The box office is open weekdays from 10:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. and game days from 10:00 a.m. until the start of the second period.  Tickets are available for $10, $16, $20 and $28.

 

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 eighteenth season and their first in the ECHL.  One of the winningest teams in all of minor league hockey, the Mallards competed in the United Hockey League from 1995 through 2007; in the International Hockey League in 2009-10; and in the Central Hockey League from 2010 through 2014.  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 and on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/qcmallards.

–## Quad City Mallards ##–

Blue Grass, IA- The Blue Grass American Legion is preparing to host another successful Veterans' Day Run/Walk to support the many programs and projects of the Legion.  This event will be held on Saturday, November 8, 2014 at the American Legion Post 711 in Blue Grass, Iowa.

This event has options for runners and walkers of all ages and capabilities.  The 5K run will begin at 8:00 AM and follow old route 61 south.  The kids half-mile run will begin at 9:30 AM and any children twelve and under are eligible to participate. The family fun run/walk will begin at 10:00 AM and follow a 1-mile route. Families are encouraged to carry posters supporting their loved ones, as well as include the family pet in this run/walk.

The Battle Buddy Run will begin at 11:00 AM.  This 2-mile race includes two people and one person must be carried at all times. Alternating who is carried is allowed, but no advancement is allowed during transition.

Unique dog-tag medals and t-shirts will be given out to all participants as supplies permit.  Awards and medals will also be given to the top three male and female participants in each age group.

Registration after October 31 is $20 for anyone 15 years or younger, $25 for adults, $20 for veterans and everyday heroes (Police, firefighters, EMS, teachers); $15 for legionnaires, auxiliary, and Sons of American Legion; and $25 for the family fun run for two participants, $10 for each additional participant.

Registrations will be accepted up until the race time on Saturday morning. Participants are urged to register and pick up their packet at the Blue Grass American Legion on Friday, November 7 from 5:00-8:00 PM or Saturday, November 8 from 6:00-7:30 AM. American Legion Post 711 is located at 106 S. Juniata St. in Blue Grass, IA.

Please contact American Legion Post 711 for more information at 563-381-4380 or visit https://sites.google.com/site/ialegionpost711

Proceeds from this event will be utilized to help support the many community and youth programs that the American Legion provides the Blue Grass and Buffalo areas.

The American Legion is the nation's largest wartime veterans' service organization, committed to mentoring youth and sponsorship of wholesome programs in our communities, advocating patriotism and honor, promoting strong national security, and continued devotion to fellow service members and veterans. The American Legion currently has about 2.4 million members in 14,000 posts worldwide.

MOLINE, Ill. (October 30, 2014) - Defenseman Jani Hakanpaa has been reassigned to the Quad City Mallards from the American Hockey League's Chicago Wolves by the National Hockey League's St. Louis Blues, the Mallards announced today.  The Mallards further announced they have waived forwards Kyle Thomas, Garrett Vermeersch and Ben Woodley and have activated forward Antii Pusa from the team's reserve list while moving forward Evan Haney to the reserve list. 

Hakanpaa, 22, scored four goals and added four assists while posting a plus/minus rating of +20 in 54 games with the Wolves last season.

Hakanpaa was selected by St. Louis in the fourth round of the 2010 National Hockey League Entry Draft with the one hundred fourth overall choice.  The 6' 5", 218-pound product of Kirkkonummi, Finland got his first taste of North American hockey when he joined the Peoria Rivermen for 14 AHL games in 2012-13.  Hakanpaa started that campaign in his homeland with the Espoo Blues. 

Hakanpaa represented Finland at the 2011 and 2012 International Ice Hockey Federation World Junior Championships, captaining the Finns at the 2012 event in Alberta.

Thomas played in one game for the Mallards, Vermeersch scored once in three outings and Woodley picked up an assist in two games.

Haney skated in two games before his move to the reserve list.  Pusa, 25, makes his way to the active roster after sitting out the Mallards' first three games of the season.

The Mallards next play at home tomorrow evening - Halloween night- at 7:05 against the Cincinnati Cyclones.  Kids 12 and under wearing Halloween costumes to tomorrow night's tilt will receive free tickets to that game and will have the chance to trick-or-treat on the ice during the first intermission.  Tomorrow is also another $1 Dog/$1 Beer Night presented by 97X and MetroLINK.  $1 hot dogs and beer are available at iWireless Center concession stands during all Mallards Friday night home games.

 

Single game tickets for all remaining Mallards regular season home games- including tomorrow night's- are on sale now at the iWireless Center box office, Ticketmaster outlets, ticketmaster.comand Ticketmaster charge-by-phone toll free at 1-800-745-3000.  The box office is open weekdays from 10:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. and game days from 10:00 a.m. until the start of the second period.  Tickets are available for $10, $16, $20 and $28.

MOLINE, Ill. (October 29, 2014) - Quad City Mallards defenseman Nicholas Rioux has been signed to a professional tryout agreement by the American Hockey League's Iowa Wild, the Mallards announced today.

Rioux, 28, returns to the AHL after playing six games for the Wild last season.  The 6' 1", 205-pound Riviere-du-Loup, Quebec, native skated in each of the Mallards' first three games this year, helping the club start its first ECHL season 2-1-0-0.  Rioux finished eighth among Central Hockey League defensemen in assists (27) last year while also scoring five times to total 32 points in 58 games with the Mallards.  He posted a plus/minus rating of +16.

Rioux joined the Mallards after scoring seven goals and registering 27 points with a plus/minus of +3 for the CHL's Bloomington Blaze in 2012-13.  The durable Rioux played in each of the Blaze's 66 regular season games and missed just a single game over his first two professional campaigns.

Rioux first played under Ruskowski as a rookie with the CHL's Rio Grande Valley Killer Bees in 2011-12.  Rioux scored five times, produced 21 points and turned in a plus/minus of +5 in his first professional season.

Rioux turned pro after a three-year college career at St. Cloud State during which he totaled three goals and four assists in 26 games.  Rioux played two seasons of junior hockey in the British Columbia League- with the Quesnel Millionaires and Prince George Spruce Kings- before heading to St. Cloud.

The Mallards next play at home Friday evening - Halloween night- at 7:05 against the Cincinnati Cyclones.  Kids 12 and under wearing Halloween costumes to next Friday's tilt will receive free tickets to that game.  Next Friday is also another $1 Dog/$1 Beer Night presented by 97X and MetroLINK.  $1 hot dogs and beer are available at iWireless Center concession stands during all Mallards Friday night home games.

Single game tickets for all remaining Mallards regular season home games- including Friday's- are on sale now at the iWireless Center box office, Ticketmaster outlets, ticketmaster.comand Ticketmaster charge-by-phone toll free at 1-800-745-3000.  The box office is open weekdays from 10:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. and game days from 10:00 a.m. until the start of the second period.  Tickets are available for $10, $16, $20 and $28.

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 eighteenth season and their first in the ECHL.  One of the winningest teams in all of minor league hockey, the Mallards competed in the United Hockey League from 1995 through 2007; in the International Hockey League in 2009-10; and in the Central Hockey League from 2010 through 2014.  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 and on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/qcmallards.
San Diego, CA - October 23, 2014 - Every team has goals, every player has goals, every Coach knows that goals result in better performance. Whether those goals are physical or academic, everyone knows proper goal setting works.  Unfortunately, the ability to monitor and track goal progress is not as easy as it would seem.  Coaches can teach their players to set goals, but usually the best result is a goal sheet taped to the inside of a gym locker.  How often the goals are read is hard to determine and making sure they were written down correctly isn't always easy.  My Goal Mine, a web based service and fully functional application, provides student athletes, teams, and their coaches, a platform to track and accomplish all of their goals.

My Goal Mine's web based platform and App allows student athletes to set SMART goals, allows coaches to track their goal progress, and even allows coaches to assign goals. By assigning goals, a coach can help a player in an area that needs attention, such as having a player read for two hours a day, or see a tutor for a specific subject they might be having trouble with.,  The coach can then track the progress.  Every day the player opens their email, or the My Goal Mine APP to read their goals, the player gets a point. The teams coach has a dashboard showing how many goals each player has and how many points they have accrued.   Student Athletes can even share their goal achievement or show their peers what goals they are trying to obtain by posting on Social Media sites such as Facebook.
The Goal Setting Platform provides businesses such as popular local Eateries, local Real Estate Agents, Sporting Goods Shops, or other SMBs the ability to sponsor the high school or college.  The sponsorship is affordable and provides sponsors the ability to reach the local student athletes by having their logo and hyperlink displayed on each players' goal setting page.   Every day the student athletes read their goals, the local SMB gets an impression.  Moreover, when a student athlete wants to share goal achievement--or goals they are trying to accomplish--on a Social Media platform such as Facebook, the SMB is recognized as the schools sponsor.  This high exposure, affordable sponsorship will allow every student athlete and coach across the nation to have a web/APP based goal setting program.  The school wins, the players win, and the local SMB wins. It is truly a win/win/win situation.

In the first beta test of the My Goal Mine App student athletes reported a raise in GPA by a full .6; meaning if a student was getting a 2.0, it jumped to a 2.6 by the end of the season.  The power of goal setting is the surest way to elevate performance. Every business owner knows the importance of goals; and fortunately with todays' technology, local business owners can help every player across the nation learn and reap the benefits of proper goal setting.

To help your local student athletes please visit: www.my-goalmine.com.

###

MOLINE, Ill. (October 28, 2014) - The Quad City Mallards have acquired forward Mario Lamoureux from the Ontario Reign in exchange for future considerations, the Mallards announced today.

Lamoureux, 26, scored 20 goals and totaled 40 points in 46 games with the Ontario Reign last season after starting the campaign in Austria with VSV EC, for whom he scored once and added an assist in four games.  Lamoureux also played three American Hockey League games for the Oklahoma City Barons last year.

"Mario is the center I was looking for to complement our top wingers," said Mallards coach and general manager Terry Ruskowski.  "He's a guy who's productive and very talented.  I like his attitude because he wants to come here and win."

Lamoureux was named to the 2012-13 ECHL All-Rookie Team after scoring 25 times and notching 65 points in 71 games for the Reign.  The 5' 9", 185-pound native of Grand Forks, North Dakota, broke into the professional ranks at the tail end of the 2011-12 season when he played two games for the Gwinnett Gladiators.

Lamoureux played college hockey in his home town for perennial power North Dakota.  UND qualified for the NCAA tournament each of Lamoureux's four seasons and in 2011 reached the Frozen Four.  He also helped North Dakota to three consecutive Western Collegiate Hockey Association tournament titles and a pair of conference regular season crowns.  Lamoureux scored 17 goals and produced 46 points in 157 career collegiate games.

Also today, the ECHL announced earlier that Mallards forward Todd Fiddler has been suspended for one game after being assessed a major penalty for kneeing and a game misconduct in the Mallards' game against the Rapid City Rush last Saturday and as a result will miss tonight's game between the Mallards and Rush in Rapid City.

The Mallards next play at home Friday evening - Halloween night- at 7:05 against the Cincinnati Cyclones.  Kids 12 and under wearing Halloween costumes to next Friday's tilt will receive free tickets to that game.  Next Friday is also another $1 Dog/$1 Beer Night presented by 97X and MetroLINK.  $1 hot dogs and beer are available at iWireless Center concession stands during all Mallards Friday night home games.

Single game tickets for all remaining Mallards regular season home games- including Friday's- are on sale now at the iWireless Center box office, Ticketmaster outlets, ticketmaster.comand Ticketmaster charge-by-phone toll free at 1-800-745-3000.  The box office is open weekdays from 10:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. and game days from 10:00 a.m. until the start of the second period.  Tickets are available for $10, $16, $20 and $28.

 

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 eighteenth season and their first in the ECHL.  One of the winningest teams in all of minor league hockey, the Mallards competed in the United Hockey League from 1995 through 2007; in the International Hockey League in 2009-10; and in the Central Hockey League from 2010 through 2014.  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 and on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/qcmallards.

–## Quad City Mallards ##–

The Giant Wheel will take you up 110 feet in the air in an open air gondola that seat up to 6 people. The wheel will spin slowly around offering views of the Mississippi River, Modern Woodmen Park, and downtown Davenport and Rock Island. The ride will be lit at light with an impressive LED light package with millions of color combinations which makes it an entirely different ride at night!

All guests below 42" must be accompanied by a supervising companion. The Giant Wheel requires five amusement coupons to ride.

For each ride, 50 cents will be donated to the Genesis Health Services Foundation, benefiting Camp Genesis, Genesis Neonatal Intensive Care Unit and Genesis Flu-Free Quad Cities.

IH Mississippi Valley Credit Union members can use the Fastpass line and be the next guests loaded onto the ride by just showing their credit union card.

Amusements Schedule and General Information

THIS WEEK
Friday, October 24, 7:05 p.m.

iWireless Center, Moline

Rapid City Rush vs. Quad City Mallards

 

Saturday, October 25, 7:05 p.m.

iWireless Center, Moline

Rapid City Rush vs. Quad City Mallards

 

Quad City
2013-14: 33-23-10, 76 points
5th place, Central Hockey League
Coach: Terry Ruskowski

Rapid City
2013-14: 39-23-4, 82 points
4th place, Central Hockey League
Coach: Joe Ferras

 

QUACK TRACKS
ECHL

The Mallards moved to the ECHL from the Central Hockey League earlier this month along with the Allen Americans, Brampton Beast, Missouri Mavericks, Rapid City Rush, Tulsa Oilers and Wichita Thunder to form the ECHL's Central Division.  The ECHL is the fourth different league in which the Mallards have played, following the Colonial/United Hockey League (1995-2007), International Hockey League (2009-2010) and Central Hockey League (2010-2014).

Return

Nine Mallards have previously played in the ECHL: Kevin Baker, Benjamin Dieude-Fauvel, Matt Duffy, Evan Haney, Darren McMillan, Parker Milner, Kyle Thomas, Garrett Vermeersch and Ben Woodley.

Rematch

The Mallards Friday meet the Rush for the first time since April 30 when the Mallards won the seventh and deciding game of the opening round Central Hockey League playoff series between the two clubs 3-2 in Rapid City.  This also marks the second straight season and third time in the last four years the Mallards will open against the Rush.  The Mallards dropped their 2013-14 CHL curtain raiser to the Rush 6-4 on October 19 of last year and lost their first game of the 2011-12 campaign 5-1 to Rapid City.

Home Sweet Home

The Mallards play their first two games and four of their first five at home.  After this weekend's two game set against the Rush, the Mallards will travel to Rapid City for a rematch next Tuesday.  The Mallards will return home to host the Cincinnati Cyclones- who last year reached the ECHL Kelly Cup finals- on Friday, October 31 and Saturday, November 1.

Blink of an Eye

Mallards coach and general manager Terry Ruskowski Friday night will step behind an ECHL bench for the first time in 7,510 days.  Ruskowski's final game as coach of the ECHL's Columbus Chill was a 6-4 second round playoff loss to the Toledo Storm on April 2, 1994.  Since then he has coached in the International Hockey League (Houston Aeros), United Hockey League (Knoxville Speed) and CHL (Mallards, Laredo Bucks and Rio Grande Valley Killer Bees).  

Return, Take 2

Kevin Baker returns to the ECHL with the Mallards this season.  Baker, the 2008-09 ECHL Most Valuable Player, spent the last season plus in the Central Hockey League with the Arizona Sundogs.  Baker last played in the ECHL for the Evansville IceMen in 2013.  Baker has scored 190 goals and added 202 assists for 392 points in 367 career ECHL games for the IceMen, Texas Wildcatters, Florida Everblades, Stockton Thunder and Orlando Solar Bears.

General Lee
Jeff Lee returns for his second season with the Mallards after leading the team in points (60) while playing in all 66 regular season games last season.  Lee will face some old friends when the Mallards meet the Rush this weekend.  He skated for Rapid City as a rookie in 2012-13.

Mac is Back
Defenseman Darren McMillan during the offseason announced his plans to retire after the coming campaign.  McMillan's final season in professional hockey will be his sixth with the Mallards and his fifth as team captain.   Should he, as expected, take the ice this Friday, the Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario, native will become the only player who has skated for the team in each of the six seasons since the Mallards returned to the ice in 2009.  McMillan, 34, has played 261 games for the Mallards, sixth most in team history.  He is three games away from catching Rick Emmett- who played 264 times for the Mallards between 1996 and 2001- and moving into a tie for fifth place.  McMillan has missed just three games over the last four seasons.  

Back on the Blue Line

McMillan is, along with Benjamin Dieude-Fauvel, Matt Duffy, Nick Grasso, Darren McMillan, Mike Monfredo and Nicholas Rioux, one of six defenseman returning from last season's Mallard squad.  In all, nine players are back from last year.  Forwards Lee, Justin Fox and Joe Perry join the blue line sextet in re-upping with the Flock.

Euro Trip

The Mallards have added a pair of Europeans in Russian-born Finnish forward Antti Pusa and Danish defenseman Jannik Christensen.  Pusa split last season between Herning in Denmark and TuTo in Finland after previously playing in France and Austria.  Prior to making the move across the Atlantic, Christensen spent the bulk of his career in his home town with the Esbjerg Energy.

Between the Pipes

The Mallards' two goaltenders are new to the team this season.  Parker Milner joins the Mallards after turning pro last season with the Stockton Thunder- and also seeing action for the American Hockey League's Bridgeport Sound Tigers.  Milner's highly decorated collegiate career climaxed when he backstopped Boston College to the 2012 NCAA title.  Rookie Evan Mosher was named to the All-Canadian second team after shining for Acadia University last season.

Openers

The Mallards have suffered regulation defeats in each of their five home openers since the team returned to the ice in 2009 following a two year interregnum during which the Quad City Flames competed in the American Hockey League.  The Mallards are winless (0-5-1) in their last six home openers.  The Flock last started its home slate with a win on October 21, 2005 while in the United Hockey League when it downed the Motor City Mechanics 4-3 in a shootout.

Home Sweet Home, Take 2
The Mallards went 19-11-3 at home last season after winning exactly 20 home games each of the prior two seasons. 

Special Teams
The Mallards finished last season fourth in the CHL in penalty killing (83.7 percent) and ranked ninth on the power play (14.3 percent).  The Mallards, who scored shorthanded 12 times last season, led the CHL in shorthanded goals each of the last two seasons.

Head to Head

The Mallards went 3-2-1 against Rapid City during the 2013-14 regular season.  The Mallards went 2-1-0 against the Rush on home ice.  All time, the Mallards have gone 12-8-2 overall in the regular season and 7-4-0 at the iWireless Center against the Rush.  Last spring's seven game battle was the first playoff match-up between the two clubs.

UPCOMING HOME GAMES
Friday, October 24, 7:05 p.m.- Mallards vs. Rapid City
$1 Dog/$1 Beer Friday presented by 97X and MetroLINK
Beginning with opening night, fans again this season will enjoyed $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.

 

Saturday, October 25, 7:05 p.m.- Mallards vs. Rapid City

Rush Rematch

The Mallards and Rush will no doubt ramp up their rivalry when they meet for the second time in as many nights.

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 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.

 

-### Quad City Mallards ### -

 



Jim Kersten


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