MOLINE, Ill. (August 29, 2013) - The Quad City Mallards have signed rookie forwards Brendan Turner, Rob Dongara and Tony Rizzi, the Mallards announced today.

"All three of these guys are very promising young players," said Mallards coach and general manager Terry Ruskowski.  "Brendan is a very good skater who had a lot of success in college hockey and comes from the same program that produced [former Mallard] Mickey Lang; Rob is another guy who skates well and is the kind of tenacious, hard-nosed player who can be very valuable; and Tony has had success in the power forward role not only because of his size but also because he can really shoot the puck."

Turner, 25, scored nine goals and totaled 17 points in 26 games as a senior at Division III Manhattanville College last season.  The 5' 11", 175-pound Tisdale, Saskatchewan, native produced 23 goals and 52 points in 75 games over the course of his decorated Valiant career.  Turner earned a 2011-12 All-Eastern Collegiate Athletic Conference West honorable mention selection after scoring 11 goals and pocketing 27 points in 25 games as a junior.  Last spring Turner helped Manhattanville to the championship game of the ECAC West Tournament and was named to the All-Tournament Team for his efforts.  He also made the ECAC West All-Academic Team each of the last two years.  Before his move to Manhattanville, Turner spent three seasons with the Alberta Junior Hockey League's Lloydminster Bobcats.

Dongara, 23, sat out last season per NCAA rules after transferring from Northeastern to the University of Massachusetts.  In 2011-12, the 5' 10", 175-pound Dongara notched a goal and an assist in 16 games as a Husky sophomore.  He scored six times and collected 14 points in 36 games during his freshman season at N.U.  The Scituate, Massachusetts, product skated in the junior ranks for the North American Hockey League's Springfield Junior Blues and the Eastern Junior Hockey League's Jersey Hitmen before arriving at Northeastern.

Rizzi, a 6' 4", 202-pound 25-year old, scored 13 goals and registered 21 points in 26 games for the University of Ontario Institute of Technology last season.  A native of Kingston, Ontario, Rizzi piled up 49 goals and 103 points in 138 games over five years of university hockey.  He served as an assistant captain in his last two seasons at UOIT and last year won the team's Leadership Award.

Before joining the Ridgebacks, Rizzi sandwiched a pair of seasons (2002-03 and 2007-08) with the Wellington Dukes of the Ontario Provincial Junior Hockey League around a four-year stint in the major junior Ontario Hockey League.   Rizzi spent his first three-plus OHL seasons in his hometown with the Kingston Frontenacs before joining the Peterborough Petes for the bulk of the 2006-07 campaign.

The Mallards will open their seventeenth season- and their fourth in the CHL- when they host the Rapid City Rush on Saturday night, October 19.  Mallards 2013-14 season tickets as well as half season tickets and flex packs are now on sale.  The Mallards offer ticket packages to meet any budget and season ticket holders also receive a host of additional benefits, including a unique season ticket holder Mallards jersey.  More ticket package information is available by calling the Mallards at 309-277-1364 or emailing info@myqcmallards.com.

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 approaching 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.

With eighth win in last 10 games, Quad Cities seals first-round playoff matchup with Cedar Rapids

 

BURLINGTON, Iowa (AUG. 27, 2013) - Quad Cities River Bandits third baseman Rio Ruiz hit his first career grand slam in the first inning and had a career-high five RBIs, and right-hander Juan Minaya struck out nine Burlington Bees in four shutout relief innings for a 6-5 victory at Community Field Tuesday night.

 

Two days after clinching a playoff spot, Quad Cities (38-25 second half, 76-56 overall) determined its first-round opponent with a win Tuesday. The River Bandits will face the Cedar Rapids Kernels in a best-of-three Midwest League Western Division semifinal beginning Wednesday, Sept. 4, at 7 p.m. at Modern Woodmen Park. Games 2 and 3 - if necessary - will be in Cedar Rapids Sept. 5 and Sept. 6.

 

Quad Cities started quickly against Bees left-hander Brandon Love (4-7), who hit second baseman Tony Kemp with the game's second pitch before walking shortstop Austin Elkins. Center fielder Teoscar Hernandez then beat out a bunt to the first-base side to extend his season-high nine-game hitting streak. Love struck out first baseman Bobby Borchering before Ruiz blasted a 3-2 pitch out to left-center field for his first career grand slam and 12^th home run of the season. Ruiz finished a triple shy of the cycle.

 

River Bandits right-hander Daniel Minor started with a 4-0 lead but allowed hits to the first three Bees batters, including an RBI single by shortstop Angel Rosa, who had seven hits in the four-game series. But Minor induced the first of a River Bandits season-high four double plays to hold Burlington to two runs in the first inning. He also got help from a double play in the second and third innings.

 

Quad Cities briefly extended the lead in the third inning, as Hernandez hit a leadoff double and scored on Ruiz's RBI single for a 5-2 lead. But Rosa hit an RBI double to keep the Bees within 5-3. Quad Cities answered in the fourth, as catcher Jobduan Morales led off with his first triple - and the River Bandits' first triple - in more than a year and scored on a sacrifice fly by left fielder Jordan Scott - who was the first in a stretch of 18 of 19 batters retired by Bees pitchers. Love lasted six innings, allowing all six runs on seven hits with two walks and seven strikeouts. He combined with right-handers Austin Adams and Jake Boyd to retired the final 13 River Bandits.

 

After Minor gave up a home run to catcher Zach Wright to make it 6-4 in the fourth, Minaya started the fifth inning and struck out the side in the fifth, sixth and eighth innings. First baseman Wade Hinkle's eighth-inning solo home run was the last run of the game, pulling the Bees (26-38, 52-77) within 6-5. Right-hander Andrew Walter pitched a perfect ninth inning for his first Midwest League save.

 

Tuesday's victory also means The Captain's Table at 4801 River Drive in Moline will offer The Captain's Table Victory Discount Wednesday, Aug. 28. Anyone who mentions the River Bandits victory can receive a free appetizer or dessert with the purchase of two lunches or dinners with beverages on Wednesday, Aug. 28.

Quad Cities plays its final regular season road series in Wisconsin, beginning at 7:05 p.m. Wednesday in Appleton, Wis. River Bandits right-hander Chris Devenski (3-3) will start the opener against Timber Rattlers right-hander Austin Ross (2-0, 2.97).

 

UP NEXT: The River Bandits' final homestand of the regular season kicks off Saturday, Aug. 31, with a Dallas Clark Bobblehead Giveaway presented by Barrel House 211 and CBS4 when gates open at 5:30 p.m. for a 7 p.m. game. Fireworks will also follow the game. Single-game tickets are on sale at the River Bandits box office at Modern Woodmen Park, by phone at  563-324-3000 and online at www.riverbandits.com. Season ticket and mini-plan packages start at just seven games and begin at less than $50. Call a River Bandits account representative today to choose your seats and get the details of our various mini-plan packages.

 

ABOUT THE BANDITS: 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 112 feet over the playing field, is planned for next spring, along with a carousel and other new games and attractions. This season, the team just unveiled a new 300-foot long dual zip line, a rock climbing wall, a Mediacom Frog Hopper, and a number of new bounce houses. The team also boasts a new major league affiliate, the Houston Astros, and fans can see the first team in Minor League Baseball history with back-to-back No. 1 overall draft picks - 2012 top pick Carlos Correa and 2013 top pick Mark Appel, as well as 2012 first-round draft choice Lance McCullers. With new rides, new attractions, new improvements, a new affiliate and future major league stars, the second half of this season is one every fan will not want to miss!

 

*****

Quad Cities loses first extra-inning road game on Burlington's two-out, 10th-inning rally

BURLINGTON, Iowa (AUG. 26, 2013) - The Quad Cities River Bandits were twice within an out of a one-run victory Monday night, but the Burlington Bees had a ninth-inning, two-out, game-tying double by Wade Hinkle, and following a 10th-inning dropped third strike, an eventual walk-off single by Pedro Toribio in a 3-2 Bees win at Community Field.

Quad Cities (37-25 second half, 75-56 overall) had its four-game winning streak snapped one day after clinching a second-half playoff berth. With a loss by Clinton (31-32, 64-68) Monday in Beloit, a Quad Cities win or Clinton loss in the final week of the season will seal a first-round match-up for the River Bandits with Cedar Rapids (42-20, 82-48), with Quad Cities hosting Game 1 at 7 p.m. Sept. 4.

Monday's game started as a pitchers' duel between Bees left-hander Ryan Crowley and River Bandits left-hander Josh Hader. Quad Cities got to the scoreboard in the second inning, as left fielder Danry Vasquez hit a leadoff single, and third baseman Rio Ruiz lined an RBI single down the right-field line for a 1-0 lead. Crowley then set down 12 batters in a row and only allowed one more runner to reach second base as he went on to match a season high with eight innings pitched. He allowed four hits and one walk with seven strikeouts.

Hader made the lead hold through six shutout innings. He retired the first six batters before a leadoff single from third baseman Garrett Cannizaro in the third. But Hader induced a double play and later picked off a runner in the fourth inning. He struck out six batters - his most with the River Bandits - and only allowed one runner to reach scoring position.

Right-hander Zach Morton started the seventh inning and worked around two hits to keep the 1-0 lead into the ninth. Right fielder Riley Good led off the ninth with a single and went to second base on a sacrifice. Hinkle lifted a two-out fly ball down the left field line just beyond Vasquez's reach to bring in the tying run. Morton yielded four hits and one earned run with one strikeout in three innings.

In the River Bandits' first extra-inning road game since May 31, Ruiz and second baseman Austin Elkins each doubled in the 10^th inning on consecutive one-out pitches from right-hander Kurt Spomer for a 2-1 lead.

In the bottom of the 10^th, right-hander Patrick Christensen got the first two batters before Bees center fielder Chevy Clarke reached first base on a slow grounder between the pitcher's mound and home plate. Clarke stole second with designated hitter Matt Scioscia batting, and when Scioscia swung at strike three that got away from catcher Jobduan Morales, Clarke came around to score, because Morales' throw got away from first baseman Bobby Borchering. Right fielder Riley Good then beat out a ground ball to the right side of the infield, and Toribio followed by slapping a single through the left side to bring home pinch runner Julio Concepcion for the winning run.

Quad Cities plays its series finale in Burlington at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday. River Bandits right-hander Daniel Minor (7-3) will start against Bees left-hander Brandon Love (4-6).

UP NEXT: The River Bandits' final homestand of the regular season kicks off Saturday, Aug. 31, with a Dallas Clark Bobblehead Giveaway presented by Barrel House 211 and CBS4 when gates open at 5:30 p.m. for a 7 p.m. game. Fireworks will also follow the game. Single-game tickets are on sale at the River Bandits box office at Modern Woodmen Park, by phone at  563-324-3000 and online at www.riverbandits.com. Season ticket and mini-plan packages start at just seven games and begin at less than $50. Call a River Bandits account representative today to choose your seats and get the details of our various mini-plan packages.

ABOUT THE BANDITS: 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 112 feet over the playing field, is planned for next spring, along with a carousel and other new games and attractions. This season, the team just unveiled a new 300-foot long dual zip line, a rock climbing wall, a Mediacom Frog Hopper, and a number of new bounce houses. The team also boasts a new major league affiliate, the Houston Astros, and fans can see the first team in Minor League Baseball history with back-to-back No. 1 overall draft picks - 2012 top pick Carlos Correa and 2013 top pick Mark Appel, as well as 2012 first-round draft choice Lance McCullers. With new rides, new attractions, new improvements, a new affiliate and future major league stars, the second half of this season is one every fan will not want to miss!

 

*****

All regular individual seats will be just $5; team to give away a truck at the game

 

DAVENPORT, Iowa (AUG. 26, 2013) - All regular individual tickets for the Quad Cities River Bandits' home playoff game at 7 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 4, at Modern Woodmen Park will be $5 each. Ticket sales will open to the general public at noon on Tuesday, Aug. 27, at the River Bandits box office, by phone at 563-324-3000 and online at www.riverbandits.com.

 

The River Bandits will offer $1 beers and $1 pops, as well as $1 hot dogs, peanuts, popcorn and nachos for the Sept. 4 playoff game as part of the continuing celebration of the Bandits' successful season and the Quad Cities' own Modern Woodmen Park being recently voted No. 1 in the USA Today/10Best.com Readers' Choice Best Minor League Ballparks. The River Bandits will also give away a used pick-up truck during the game.

 

"We wanted to make this season's playoff game a truly special event for the people of the Quad Cities," said River Bandits co-owner Dave Heller. "So we thought we'd celebrate our ranking as the nation's number one ballpark by having one dollar food and drink specials, discounting all tickets and, best of all, giving away a really great pickup truck!"

 

River Bandits season-ticket holders for 2013 may purchase playoff tickets in advance of the general public sale during a special pre-sale window that lasts until noon Tuesday at the River Bandits box office or by calling 563-324-3000.

 

Groups may call the River Bandits box office at 563-324-3000 to book a group area or suite for the Wednesday, Sept. 4, game.

 

The River Bandits clinched a playoff berth with their win Sunday in Burlington, and Quad Cities will play Game 1 of the Midwest League Western Division semifinals at 7 p.m. Sept. 4 against either Cedar Rapids or Beloit - both first-half qualifiers. The River Bandits will play on the road in Game 2 Thursday, Sept. 5, and Game 3 (if necessary) Friday, Sept. 6, in the best-of-three first round.

 

Quad Cities is in the playoffs for the third time in the last four years. The club has made the playoffs in four of seven seasons as a Houston Astros affiliate and 25 times in 54 seasons in the Midwest League. Quad Cities has won five Midwest League Championships: 1968, 1971, 1979, 1990 and 2011.

 

Tickets are still available for the River Bandits' final three regular season games Saturday, Aug. 31, through Monday, Sept. 2, against the Beloit Snappers at Modern Woodmen Park.

 

UP NEXT: The River Bandits' final homestand of the regular season kicks off Saturday, Aug. 31, with a Dallas Clark Bobblehead Giveaway presented by Barrel House 211 and CBS4 when gates open at 5:30 p.m. for a 7 p.m. game. Fireworks will also follow the game. Single-game tickets are on sale at the River Bandits box office at Modern Woodmen Park, by phone at  563-324-3000 and online at www.riverbandits.com. Season ticket and mini-plan packages start at just seven games and begin at less than $50. Call a River Bandits account representative today to choose your seats and get the details of our various mini-plan packages.

 

ABOUT THE BANDITS: 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 112 feet over the playing field, is planned for next spring, along with a carousel and other new games and attractions. This season, the team just unveiled a new 300-foot long dual zip line, a rock climbing wall, a Mediacom Frog Hopper, and a number of new bounce houses. The team also boasts a new major league affiliate, the Houston Astros, and fans can see the first team in Minor League Baseball history with back-to-back No. 1 overall draft picks - 2012 top pick Carlos Correa and 2013 top pick Mark Appel, as well as 2012 first-round draft choice Lance McCullers. With new rides, new attractions, new improvements, a new affiliate and future major league stars, the second half of this season is one every fan will not want to miss!