17 Dec 2013

QC MALLARDS WEEKLY UPDATE

By Jim Kersten

THIS WEEK 
Wednesday, December 18, 7:05 p.m.
Family Arena, St. Charles
Quad City Mallards vs. St. Charles Chill

Friday, December 20, 7:35 p.m.
BOK Center, Tulsa
Quad City Mallards vs. Tulsa Oilers

Saturday, December 21, 7:05 p.m.
iWireless Center, Moline
St. Charles Chill vs. Quad City Mallards

Sunday, December 22, 4:05 p.m.
Family Arena, St. Charles
Quad City Mallards vs. St. Charles Chill

LAST WEEK
Friday, December 13
Quad City 2 Rapid City 0

Saturday, December 14
Rapid City 5 Quad City 1


Quad City
10-3-5 (23 points)
7th place
Coach: Terry Ruskowski

St. Charles
6-13-4 (16 points)
10th place
Coach: Jamie Rivers

Tulsa
14-11-2 (30 points)
3rd place
Coach: Bruce Ramsay

QUACK TRACKS
Last Weekend
Ty Rimmer made 48 saves on the way to his first career shutout last Friday in Rapid City but the Mallards had to settle for a weekend split with the Rush after last Saturday's loss ended their ten-game (6-0-4) regulation unbeaten streak.

Streak Snapped
Last Saturday's regulation loss was the Mallards' first since a 3-0 defeat in Denver on November 15. Their ten-game regulation unbeaten streak was the Mallards' longest since they went 10-0-1 between March 19 and April 10, 2004.

Upswing
Even in the wake of last Saturday's setback the Mallards' recent record remains impressive. The Flock has gone 5-1-1 in its last seven games 8-2-3 in its last 13 outings.

Playing the Percentages
The Mallards find themselves in seventh place despite boasting the league's third best winning percentage (.658) because they have played fewer games (19) than any other CHL club.

Holiday Rush
Wednesday night's game is the first of four in five nights for the Mallards. Over the weekend the Mallards will play three games in three cities in 48 hours.

On the Road
The Mallards are two games into a stretch that sees them play four straight road games and eight of nine away. After last weekend's split, the Mallards' remain at .500 (2-2-4) on the road.

Home Sweet Home
The Mallards will enter this Saturday's match-up with the St. Charles Chill at the iWireless Center riding a seven game home regulation unbeaten streak (6-0-1).

Goals, Goals, Goals
Though they scored a total of just three times in their two games last weekend, the Mallards remain the league leaders in goals per game (3.8). The Mallards last Friday scored the fewest goals (2) they have produced in a regulation win this season.

Busy
Rimmer set a league season high for saves (48) while posting his first career shutout last Friday. He also made more saves in a single game than any Mallard goaltender has since Kyle Jones rang up 52 saves on February 27, 2010 in a 3-2 International Hockey League loss to the Gems in Dayton.

Blanked
Last Friday's shutout was the Mallards' first since John Murray made 35 saves in a 6-0 stonewalling of the Missouri Mavericks at the iWireless Center on March 17 of last season. The shutout was rookie Rimmer's first since he made 37 saves for the Lethbridge Hurricanes in a 4-0 Western Hockey League whitewashing of the host Swift Current Broncos on October 25, 2012. That blanking was the tenth shutout of Rimmer's four year junior career.

One-Sided
Last Saturday's loss was the most lop-sided of the Mallards' four regulation defeats this season. The Mallards' largest margin of defeat before last Friday was three goals in their 3-0 loss to the Cutthroats on November 15.

Streaking,
Gergo Nagy's five game point scoring streak (3-6-9) ended last Saturday. Jim McKenzie has recorded eight points (four goals and four assists) in his last seven games while Matt Boyd has collected eight points (two goals and six assists) in his last eight.

Nothing Lasts Forever
Thomas Heemskerk last Saturday suffered his first regulation loss of the season (5-1-3).

Leaders
Among rookies, Thomas Frazee is tied for second in assists (12), ranks fourth in points (17) and is tied for eighth in goals (5)...Rimmer ranks seventh in save percentage (.910) and is tied for eighth in goals against average (2.85)...Heemskerk ranks eighth in save percentage (.909).

Milestones
Darren McMillan has collected 96 career CHL assists...Matt Boyd has played 195 career games.

Special Teams
The Mallards rank ninth in the CHL in power play efficiency (14.6 percent) and have converted just one of their last 22 man advantages. The Mallards rank fourth in penalty killing (84.3 percent) and are tied for third in shorthanded goals (4).

Head to Head
The Mallards will meet the Chill three times in five days beginning Wednesday night. Quad City has started the 14-game season series well, going 3-0-1 in its first four match-ups with St. Charles. The Mallards have gone 3-0-0 at home against the Chill and dropped a 6-5 shootout decision in their only previous visit to Family Arena...The Mallards opened their four-game season series with Tulsa by slamming the Oilers 9-3 on November 30. All-time the Mallards have gone 7-5-0 against the Oilers and have posted a 2-2-0 record at the BOK Center.

Ins and Outs
Rimmer returned to the Mallards from the American Hockey League's Oklahoma City Blazers last Tuesday...Goaltender Nick Niedert was waived last Wednesday.

NEXT HOME GAME
Saturday, December 21, 7:05 p.m.- Mallards vs. St. Charles Chill
Mallards Knit Cap Giveaway
The first 1,000 fans through the doors Saturday night will receive free Mallards knit caps courtesy of CBS 4 and Bierstube.

Ugly Holiday Sweater Contest
Wear your most charmingly hideous holiday sweater to Saturday night's game for the chance to win four glass seats to an upcoming game! Contestants can enter by stopping by the Drake Club to have their sweater judged at any point beginning ten minutes before the game up until seven minutes are left in the first period. The Drake Club is located adjacent to section 116. Not only will the winner receive four seats on the glass to the Mallards' home game of their choice, but, in addition, all entrants will receive a $10-off voucher toward the purchase of tickets to any future Mallards home game.

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 the Mallards' games this Saturday night and Sunday- will not air on Fox Sports Radio 1230 due to conflicts with University of Illinois basketball and football and Green Bay Packer football.  Free audio webcasts of games that do not air on AM 1230 are available at myqcmallards.com.  CHL-TV pay-per-view video webcasts of all Mallards games are also available at myqcmallards.com.  For a full Mallards broadcast/webcast schedule, go to myqcmallards.com/schedule/broadcast_schedule/.

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 orinfo@myqcmallards.com for more information about tickets.  Single game tickets are also available at the i wireless 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 can receive savings off the walk-up price and a host of other great 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 ### -
17 Dec 2013

Bass Pro Shops Outdoor World Tips.

By Larry Whiteley

SPRINGFIELD, Mo.–Bass Pro Shops Outdoor World Tips presents free, seasonal how-to tips from professional fishing and hunting experts.  Each weekly tip offers practical advice to improve your skills.

Tips offered for January include :

• Fishing for the best walleye weather? A few tricks of the trade to improve your success are offered by Gary Parsons, member of the Bass Pro Shops National Fishing Team.

• The challenge of bass fishing in the winter months can be made easier with bait tips from Jimmy Houston, host of Jimmy Houston Outdoors.

• Fish patterns change with the seasons and some hot spots now may not be as lucky in the spring.  Larry Whiteley, host of the award-winning Outdoor World Radio show, offers tips on how to use your fishing experience to your advantage.

• Late season can offer productive deer hunting for those hunters willing to adjust their strategy with tips shared by RedHead Pro Hunter, Brenda Valentine.

• As the temperature has dropped and cold has set in, fish seem harder to find.  Get expert advice on the best places to find the big catch this season from Bill Dance, host of "Bill Dance Fishing".

See the attached document for all of this month's tips or visit http://www.basspro.com and click on New & Tips.

16 Dec 2013

Mallards' Streak Snapped in Rapid City

By Brian Lavelle

RAPID CITY, S.D. (December 14, 2013) - Sean Erickson, Konrad Reeder and Scott Wray provided a goal and an assist apiece as the the host Rapid City Rush defeated the Quad City Mallards 5-1 Saturday night and ended the Mallards' ten-game (6-0-4) regulation unbeaten streak.

The Rush never looked back after ripping off the game's first three goals. Scott Brannon opened the scoring in a goalmouth scramble at 8:57 of the first period. The Rush lead stretched to 2-0 when Erickson drove the puck home from the right point at 15:52 of the first.

At 8:32 of the second period Reeder buried a rebound to give Rapid City a 3-0 advantage. The Mallards got on the scoreboard for the first time with Matt Duffy's blast from the right point at 15:33 of the second.

5:15 into the third period Eric Giosa reestablished the three goal Rapid City lead by pumping the rebound into the gaping net after Reeder hit the goal post. Wray capped off the evening by scoring from point blank range at 15:18 of the third.

With the win, the Rush earned a split of their two-game weekend series with the Mallards, who Friday night scored a 2-0 victory in Rapid City.

The Mallards return to action next Wednesday night against the Chill in St. Charles. The Mallards next play at home next Saturday at 7:05 p.m. against the St. Charles Chill. The first 1,000 fans through the doors for that game will receive free Mallards knit caps courtesy of CBS 4 and Bierstube.

Tickets for next Saturday's tilt and all Mallards regular season home games can be purchased at the iWireless Center ticket office, Ticketmaster outlets, through ticketmaster.com 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.
16 Dec 2013

Rimmer, Mallards Blank Rapid City 2-0 Quad City Extends Unbeaten Streak to Ten Games

By Brian Lavelle

RAPID CITY, S.D. (December 13, 2013) - Ty Rimmer made 48 saves on the way to his first career shutout and Matt Boyd and Gabriel Levesque provided a goal and an assist apiece as the Quad City Mallards blanked the host Rapid City Rush 2-0 Saturday night. The win extended the Mallards' regulation unbeaten streak to ten games (6-0-4) and halted Rapid City's five-game winning streak.

Boyd buried a rebound to give the Mallards 1-0 lead at 5:32 of the second period. Just under three minutes later Levesque doubled the Mallards' advantage by sweeping home a centering pass from Gergo Nagy, who assisted on both goals.

Rookie Rimmer made at least 15 saves in each period and was at his busiest while turning aside 17 shots in the final frame to consign the league-leading Rush to just its third loss of the season.  For their part, the streaking Mallards have gone ten games without a regulation defeat for the first time since winning ten consecutive United Hockey League games between March 20 and April 10, 2004.

The Mallards return to action tomorrow night in Rapid City.  The Mallards next play at home Saturday, December 21 at 7:05 p.m. against the St. Charles Chill. The first 1,000 fans through the doors for that game will receive free Mallards knit caps courtesy of CBS 4 and Bierstube.

Tickets for the December 21 tilt and all Mallards regular season home games can be purchased at the iWireless Center ticket office, Ticketmaster outlets, through ticketmaster.com 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 and 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 i wireless 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.com.  Fans can also follow the Mallards via Twitter at twitter.com/myqcmallards and on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/quadcitymallards.

-### Quad City Mallards ### -
13 Dec 2013

Center Ice Arena NOW OPEN

By Sarah Arp

Center Ice is OPEN and better than ever!  The Quad Cities ONLY outdoor, seasonal ice arena is located at Bass Street Landing (17th Street and River Drive) and boasts a renovated indoor warming space offering hot beverages and snacks and over 350 pairs of skates!

Skating Season Now - February 17, 2014

Admission $5.00

Skate Rental $3.00

Session Schedule (2.5 hour sessions):

Monday, Wednesday 1 pm, 4 pm

Tuesday, Thursday and Friday 1 pm, 4 pm, 7 pm

Saturday 10 am, 1 pm, 4 pm, 7 pm

Sunday 10 am, 1 pm

 

Holiday Schedule - December 23 - January 6

Monday - Saturday 10 am, 1 pm, 4 pm, 7pm

Sunday 10, am, 1 pm

 

We Offer Group Rates (groups must be pre-booked with Center Ice staff):

  • Groups 10 or More ($4 admission, $2 skate Rental)

  • Groups of 25 or More ($3 admission, $2 skate rental)

 

We Also Offer Private Ice Rentals!

  • Private Ice - Up to 125 people for 1.5 hours - $500

  • Private Ice Time available Sundays after 4:00 pm, Mondays and Wednesdays after 7:00 pm.


Visit Our Website wwwcentericequadcities.com

Call us 309-517-1538

Friend us on Facebook centericebassstreetlanding

13 Dec 2013

Cross Country Skiing at Davenport Golf

By Davenport Parks and Recreation

The golf courses are snowed over, so we welcome Cross Country skiing at any of the Three Davenport Golf courses:

Duck Creek Golf Course and Park - 3000 East Locust St

Emeis Golf Course and Park - 4500 West Central Park Ave

Red Hawk Golf Course - 6364 Northwest Blvd

12 Dec 2013

BIG SHOTS SPORTS BAR: MALLARDS' OFFICIAL PRE-GAME PARTY ZONE

By Jim Kersten
MOLINE, Ill. (December 11, 2013) - Big Shots Sports Bar in Moline has been named the Quad City Mallards' Offiical Pre-Game Party Zone, the Mallards announced today.

The pre-game party at Big Shots starts at 4:00 p.m. on Mallards home game days. Mallards fans are invited to stop by Big Shots to enjoy 25-ounce Bud Light drafts for just $3.50 as well as a host of other food and beverage choices while preparing to cheer on the Mallards.

"We're excited to be able to team with Big Shots to provide Mallards fans with the perfect place to gather with fellow fans before games and get ready to come out and support the team," said Mallards president Bob McNamara.

Big Shots Sports Bar is conveniently located at 419 15th Street in Moline, just blocks from the iWireless Center.

Mallards fans will first have the opportunity to visit the Pre-Game Party Zone at Big Shots on Saturday, December 21 when the Mallards return home to take on the St Charles Chill at 7:05 p.m. Tickets for the December 21 tilt and all Mallards regular season home games can be purchased at the iWireless Center ticket office, Ticketmaster outlets, through ticketmaster.com 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.

11 Dec 2013

Greater Des Moines Catches NCAA Volleyball Championships for 2015

By Kristine Reeves

DES MOINES, IA - Greater Des Moines has nabbed the 2015 NCAA Division I Women's Volleyball Regional Championships. The Championships will be hosted in December by the Des Moines Area Sports Commission, a division of the Greater Des Moines Convention and Visitors Bureau, Global Spectrum and the University of Northern Iowa. 2015 will be the first year Greater Des Moines has hosted an NCAA Volleyball Regional Championships.

"We're elated NCAA stakeholders continue to recognize Greater Des Moines as a sports destination," said Greg Edwards, President and CEO of the Greater Des Moines Convention and Visitors Bureau and Des Moines Area Sports Commission. "This announcement is a win for Greater Des Moines. This event will undoubtedly bring major national exposure and economic impact to the local community."

"We've delivered proven facilities and elevated the experience for NCAA athletes, coaches and fans in Greater Des Moines," said Global Spectrum's Chris Connolly, General Manager of Wells Fargo Arena at Iowa Events Center. "From record ticket sales at the 2012 Division I Women's Basketball Regional Championships to breaking NCAA Fan Fest attendance at the 2013 Division I Wrestling National Championships?we look forward to pushing the envelope again in 2015."

Greater Des Moines has hosted five NCAA events in the past five years, including:

·         Division I Wrestling National Championships - March 2013

o   $15 million in economic impact; broke NCAA Fan Fest attendance records

·         Division I Women's Basketball Regional Championships - March 2012

o   $2 million in economic impact; set highest attendance of the 2012 regional sites

·         Division I Men's & Women's Outdoor Track & Field Championships - June 2008, 2011 and 2012

o   $4 million in economic impact per each year hosted
11 Dec 2013

MALLARDS WAIVE NETMINDER NIEDERT

By Brian Lavelle

MOLINE, Ill. (December 11, 2013) - The Quad City Mallards have waived goaltender Nick Niedert, the Mallards announced today.

Niedert, who was signed last Tuesday, served as a back up in the Mallards' three games last weekend against the Brampton Beast but did not see any game action during his stint in the Quad Cities. Niedert departs after the return of netminder Ty Rimmer, who has rejoined the Mallards after being recalled to the American Hockey League's Oklahoma City Barons last week.

The Mallards return to action Friday night against the Rush in Rapid City. The Mallards next play at home Saturday, December 21 at 7:05 p.m. against the St. Charles Chill. The first 1,000 fans through the doors for that game will receive free Mallards knit caps courtesy of CBS 4 and Bierstube.

Tickets for the December 21 tilt and all Mallards regular season home games can be purchased at the iWireless Center ticket office, Ticketmaster outlets, through ticketmaster.com 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.
10 Dec 2013

RIMMER RETURNS TO MALLARDS

By Rick Martin

MOLINE, Ill. (December 10, 2013) - Goaltender Ty Rimmer has been returned to the Quad City Mallards by the American Hockey League's Oklahoma City Barons, the Mallards announced today.

Rimmer, a 21 year old rookie, went 1-0-1 with a 2.65 goals against average and a .930 save percentage in three games with the Barons after being recalled last Monday. Prior to his recall, The 6' 1", 170-pound Edmonton native had gone 4-3-2 with a 3.17 goals against average and a .894 save percentage in nine games with the Mallards.

The Mallards return to action Friday night against the Rush in Rapid City. The Mallards next play at home Saturday, December 21 at 7:05 p.m. against the St. Charles Chill. The first 1,000 fans through the doors for that game will receive free Mallards knit caps courtesy of CBS 4 and Bierstube.

Tickets for the December 21 tilt and all Mallards regular season home games can be purchased at the iWireless Center ticket office, Ticketmaster outlets, through ticketmaster.com 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 and 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 i wireless 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.com.  Fans can also follow the Mallards via Twitter at twitter.com/myqcmallards and on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/quadcitymallards.

-### Quad City Mallards ### -

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