Best-of-Seven Series Starts Friday in Texas

Mallards Host Games Three and Four April 23 and 25;

Game Five, If Necessary, April 26 at iWireless Center

RAPID CITY, S.D. (April 16, 2014) - The Quad City Mallards tonight defeated the host Rapid City Rush 3-1 in the seventh and deciding game of the opening round of the Central Hockey League President's Cup playoffs to advance to a best-of-seven CHL semi-final match-up with the Allen Americans that will begin Friday night in Allen.

After opening the second round at the Allen Event Center Friday night, the Mallards and Americans will meet in game two next Sunday afternoon in Allen.  The series will shift to the Quad Cities for game three next Wednesday night, April 23 and game four next Friday evening, April 25.  Both of those contests will face off at 7:05 p.m., as would a potential fifth game which, if necessary, will be played next Saturday, April 26 at the iWireless Center.  Should a sixth game be required, the series would move back to Allen on Tuesday night, April 29.  If the series goes the distance, the Americans would host the seventh and deciding game on Wednesday evening, April 30.

Jordan Mayer and Thomas Frazee tonight provided a goal and an assist apiece and Thomas Heemskerk made 26 saves to propel the Mallards to their first playoff series win since 2003.

Mayer gave the Mallards a 1-0 lead with a wrist shot from the right wing boards at 1:33 of the second period.  Frazee broke in alone to double the advantage at 7:01 of the second.  The Rush trimmed the gap to 2-1 just over two minutes later with Winston Day Chief's net-crashing power play goal.

The Malllards protected the one goal lead deep into the third period before Vladimir Nikiforov one-timed a power play goal from the slot to finish off the Rush with just 1:41 remaining.

The Mallards and Americans split four regular season meetings.  The Mallards went 1-1-0 on home ice against the Americans and 1-1-0 in Allen.

Tickets for Mallards home playoff games can be purchased in person at the iWireless Center box office, online at ticketmaster.com, at Ticketmaster outlets or through Ticketmaster charge-by-phone toll free at 1-800-745-3000.  The ticket 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.

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 and on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/quadcitymallards.

Quad City Mallards vs. Allen Americans - Central Hockey League President's Cup Semi-Finals

Game One: Friday, April 18 @ Allen, 7:05 p.m.

Game Two: Sunday, April 20 @ Allen, 4:05 p.m.

Game Three: Wednesday, April 23 @ Quad City, 7:05 p.m.

Game Four: Friday, April 25 @ Quad City, 7:05 p.m.

Game Five*: Saturday, April 26 @ Quad City, 7:05 p.m.

Game Six*: Tuesday, April 29 @ Allen, 7:05 p.m.

Game Seven*: Wednesday, April 30 @ Allen, 7:05 p.m.

Plan Formally Makes Bicycles Part of Illinois' Long-Range Transportation Vision

CHICAGO - Governor Pat Quinn and Illinois Transportation Secretary Ann L. Schneider today announced the release of the Illinois Bike Transportation Plan - the first statewide bicycle plan in Illinois' history. The bike plan provides the Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) with policies, best practices and strategic direction for implementing a sustainable, multi-modal transportation system across Illinois. The plan is part of Governor Quinn's agenda to build a 21st century infrastructure that will drive Illinois' economy forward.

"The Illinois Bike Transportation Plan will help develop a safer and more efficient transportation system for everyone who rides a bike in our state," Governor Quinn said. "In Illinois we pride ourselves on our 21st century transportation system, and this plan will guide our future work to expand access to this safe, cost-effective and green form of transportation."

The bike plan provides more than 200 recommendations and action items to enhance IDOT's ability to provide safe and cost-effective accommodations for cyclists across Illinois. The comprehensive recommendations address a variety of topics including facility design and maintenance, network gaps, grant funding programs, safety education and enforcement, and internal governance and coordination. In addition, the plan includes performance measures designed to evaluate progress towards implementation.

"The Illinois Bike Transportation Plan is framed around five key principles: safety, connectivity, access, choice and collaboration," Secretary Schneider said. "These principles helped guide the development of the plan and will be instrumental to implementation. The plan will ensure that Illinois remains a model of excellence in sustainable transportation."

In developing the plan, IDOT staged an extensive, multi-faceted outreach effort. Approximately 4,000 individuals, 60 local agencies, 50 non-profits and 11 educational institutions provided input via face-to-face meetings, webinars, social media and online surveys. The input received from these stakeholders helped determine final recommendations and provides a framework for future collaboration moving forward.

The complete plan and accompanying technical documents can be found online at www.IllinoisBikePlan.com.

MIDLAND, Mich. (April 13, 2014) - The Quad Cities River Bandits posted their largest shutout win in six seasons with an 11-0, seven-inning triumph over the Great Lakes Loons in Game 1 of a doubleheader Sunday afternoon, but Loons catcher Kyle Farmer delivered a ninth-inning, walk-off single for a 5-4 Loons win in Game 2 and split at Dow Diamond.

In the first game, Quad Cities right-hander Andrew Thurman (1-1) tossed five shutout innings while scattering four hits and striking out five batters. In one stretch, he retired 10 consecutive batters between allowing two singles in the first inning and two more in the fifth.

The River Bandits (5-5) began their Game 1 rout in the second inning against Loons right-hander Luis Chirinos (1-1). First baseman Conrad Gregor hit a leadoff single, third baseman Tyler White walked, and catcher Brian Holberton hit an RBI single down the first-base line. Designated hitter Tanner Mathis chopped an infield RBI single to shortstop and later scored on a wild pickoff by Chirinos.

The visitors' 3-0 lead stood until the fourth inning. Singles by second baseman Chan-Jong Moon and center fielder Brett Phillips around an error by Loons second baseman Brandon Trinkwon loaded the bases before shortstop Jack Mayfield hit a sacrifice fly. Gregor added a two-run double, and White's RBI double made it 7-0. In the sixth, Ramsay hit a sacrifice fly off right-hander Francisco Villa to make it 8-0.

In the seventh, Mathis and left fielder Jon Kemmer hit consecutive two-out doubles, Moon singled for his third hit, and Ramsay and Phillips each hit RBI singles for an 11-0 margin. Eight players combined for 14 hits, with Moon's three hits a game high. Right-hander Tyler Brunnemann pitched two shutout innings to complete Quad Cities' largest shutout win since an 18-0 win over Dayton Aug. 1, 2008.

In Game 2, Great Lakes (5-5) took a second-inning lead against left-hander Chris Lee. Designated hitter Joey Curletta doubled and scored on second baseman Jesmuel Valentin's two-out RBI double. But Phillips hit a third-inning, three-run triple for a 3-1 Quad Cities lead.

The Loons tied the game in the third after a walk, hit batter and error by Elkins at second preceded Curletta's two-run single to right field. In the fifth, the Loons retook the lead when left fielder Jacob Scavuzzo hit a one-out single, moved to third base on a single by Farmer, and scored when Morales missed catching a third strike on first baseman Paul Hoenecke.

In the next half-inning, however, Quad Cities tied the game after White hit a leadoff double, and Gregor lined a two-out RBI single. But after Gregor's Game 2-tying single, the Loons kept Quad Cities from moving a runner past first base.

Quad Cities right-hander Zach Morton stranded the go-ahead run in the sixth and seventh innings while completing 3 1/3 scoreless innings. Right-hander Patrick Christensen started the ninth and allowed a one-out walk to center fielder Malcolm Holland. Scavuzzo hit a chopper that Elkins failed to field at third base, and with runners at first and third, Farmer hit an 0-2 pitch past the drawn-in infield for the win.

The River Bandits open a six-game homestand against Eastern Division opponents Monday at 7 p.m. against the West Michigan Whitecaps. River Bandits left-hander Kent Emanuel (0-0) is scheduled to face Whitecaps right-hander Jeff Thompson (0-0).

UP NEXT: The River Bandits open a six-game homestand with Markdown Monday presented by 97X for the 7 p.m. game April 14 against the West Michigan Whitecaps. Fans can purchase $2 bleacher and berm tickets, as well as $2 beer, soda, hot dogs, peanuts, popcorn and nachos. Tickets are available online at www.riverbandits.com. To order any of the 2014 ticket plans - with new lower prices - call the River Bandits box office at 563-324-3000. Season ticket and mini-plan packages start at just seven games and begin at less than $40. Call a River Bandits account representative today to choose your seats and get the details of our various mini-plan packages.

ABOUT THE BANDITS: Having just been named Ballpark Digest's winner of Best Ballpark Improvement in America under $1 million, the River Bandits ownership is making one of the biggest improvements to Modern Woodmen Park since the ballpark was first built back in 1931! A new Ferris wheel, standing 110 feet over the playing field, is opening in May, along with a carousel, a new ride called a "Drop and Twist," an expanded 300-foot long zip line, and many other new games and attractions. In 2013, the team unveiled a new 220-foot long dual zip line, a rock climbing wall, and a number of new bounce houses. The team's major league affiliate, the Houston Astros, just saw all six of its affiliates reach the playoffs - the first time in a decade any MLB team can claim such success. The River Bandits were one of three affiliates to reach the championship round and one of two to win their league championship.

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