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Mallards Weekly Update

November 24, 2009 - International Hockey League 2 (IHL 2)
Quad City Mallards News Release


QUACK TRACKS

Getting to the Point

The Mallards picked up one point in each of their last two games. This marks the first time this season the Mallards collected points in consecutive games. The Flock has suffered just one regulation loss in its last four outings, going 1-1-1-1 during that stretch.

Home Sweet Home

The Mallards have picked up three of a possible four points in their last two home games, earning one point for Sunday's shootout loss after downing Bloomington in a shootout in the Flock's prior home game on Sunday, November 15.

Even Steven

Mike Zbriger scored at even strength just 47 seconds into the Mallards' game Sunday against the Fort Wayne Komets to end a stretch that had seen the Mallards go 143:07 without an even strength goal.

Red Light District

The Mallards score 2.2 goals per game- second fewest in the league- and give up 3.5 per contest- most in the league.

Isn't That Special (Teams)?

The Mallards have scored power play goals in each of their last four games after scoring just two power play goals in their first eight games. On the season the Mallards rank seventh on the power play (10.0 percent). While the Quad City ranks last in penalty kill percentage (76.9), only one team has given up fewer power play goals than the Mallards, who have allowed 12 on a league-low 52 shorthanded situations.

Top of the Charts

By scoring Sunday Mike Zbriger (6-4-10) overtook Terry Harrison (5-7-12) for the team goal scoring lead and moved into a tie for eighth in the league in goals. Harrison remains the Mallards' top point producer. Harrison, Zbriger and Patrick Levesque (3-6-9), who have frequently been linemates this season, have produced the majority- 14 of 26- of the goals scored by the Mallards on the campaign.

Breakthroughs

Juris Stals ended an eight-game goal scoring drought Sunday by scoring for the first time since opening night. By tying Sunday's game at three late in the second period, Chris Lipsett halted a string of six straight games without a goal. Levesque scored last Saturday night in Muskegon to snap his six-game goalless streak.

White Noise

Justin White made his Mallards debut and scored his first career goal last Friday in a 3-1 loss in Port Huron. White added his first pro assist Sunday afternoon against Fort Wayne.

Working Overtime

The Mallards have gone to overtime in three of their last four games. The Flock lost one of those three contests in sudden death, won one in a shootout and lost one in a shootout.

Connections

Mallards forward Joel Gasper started last season in Port Huron and scored one goal in 14 games as an Icehawk...Zbriger played for Bloomington in 2006-07. He produced 17 goals and 38 points in 44 games with the PrairieThunder. Mallards defenseman Shaun Fisher skated for the Thunder at the tail end of the 2007-08 season and the bulk of last year, scoring five times and notching 31 points in a total of 59 games. Blue liner A.J. Bozoian spent 25 games in a Bloomington uniform last season and scored twice while also picking up seven assists.

Ins and Outs

The Mallards last week signed forward White and defenseman Fisher and released forward Domenic Maiani and defenseman Iain McPhee...Forward Harrison missed Sunday's game after suffering an upper body injury last Saturday night in Port Huron...Defenseman Matt Burke has been out of the lineup since suffering a broken ankle November 8 in Flint.

SCOUTING REPORT

Port Huron

The Icehawks won back-to-back games last weekend and have now taken four of their last five to move into second place in the IHL standings. After downing the Mallards last Friday, the Icehawks proved inhospitable hosts one night later against Dayton, dispatching the Gems 4-1...Mike Kinnie (13-5-18) leads the league in goals, power play goals (5) and shots on goal (69) and ranks fifth in points...Derek Patrosso (5-6-11) scored twice against Dayton last Saturday and has now scored four times in his last four games after finding the net just once in his first nine outings...Kris Vernarsky (4-10-14) is tied for sixth in the league in assists and tied for eighth in points...Miickael Bedard (3-7-10) leads IHL rookies in points and is tied for the lead among first year players in assists. Bedard is currently riding a six-game point scoring streak (2-6-8)...Adam Russo (6-2-0, 2.23 .920) was named IHL Goaltender of the Week after giving up just two goals while backstopping Port Huron to a pair of wins last weekend. Russo now leads the league in save percentage while ranking second in goals against average. Russo has seen slightly more work between the pipes for the Icehawks than Larry Sterling (4-2-0, 2.67, .907) ... Port Huron takes more shots (32.9) and allows fewer (28.6) than any other team in the league...The Icehawks lead the league in penalty kill percentage (87.1)...Last Saturday's tilt was the first meeting of the season between the Mallards and Icehawks...Now in his fourth season behind the Port Huron bench, Stan Drulia has led the Icehawks to better than 40 wins each of the last two seasons. As a player, Drulia- a right winger- spent 13 seasons in pro hockey and skated in 126 National Hockey League games with the Tampa Bay Lightning.

Bloomington

Bloomington has played just once in eight days, falling 3-1 to Fort Wayne last Saturday on home ice. That setback was the Thunder's first home loss of the season...The PrairieThunder has suffered just two regulation losses in its last 11 games (7-2-0-2)...The Thunder is tied with Fort Wayne for third place in the IHL...Craig MacDonald (9-11-20) ranks fourth in the league in points, is tied for third in goals and ranks fifth in goals...Bill Bagron (8-7-15) ranks sixth in goals and is tied for sixth in points, just ahead of teammates Jamie Carroll (5-9-14) and Ryan Finnerty (4-10-14). Finnerty is tied for sixth in assists...Andrew Martin (3-2-0-2, 2.58, .916), who ranks third in save percentage and fourth in goals against average, has shared goaltending duties with Paulo Colaiacovo (5-2-0-1, 3.11, .900)...Bloomington boasts the league's best power play (24.6 percent)...the Prairie Thunder averages 3.6 goals per game- second most in the league...Jarrod Skalde is in his second season behind the Bloomington bench. The former centerman wrapped up a 17-year professional playing career that saw him skate in 115 National Hockey League games with the New Jersey Devils, Anaheim Mighty Ducks, Calgary Flames, San Jose Sharks, Dallas Stars, Chicago Blackhawks, Atlanta Thrashers and Philadelphia Flyers by suiting up for ten games with the PrairieThunder in 2007-08...The Mallards have gone 1-2-0-0 against Bloomington this season.

UPCOMING HOME GAMES

Wednesday, November 25, 7:05 p.m.- Mallards vs. Port Huron Icehawks

Mallards Draw String Back Pack Giveaway presented by Hardee's

The first 1,000 fans through the gates will receive Mallards' draw string back packs courtesy of Hardee's.

Saturday, November 25, 7:05 p.m.- Mallards vs. Bloomington PrairieThunder

Chris Lipsett Kids' Bobbleheads presented by Jumer's Casino; $2 12-ounce Drafts

The first 1,000 kids 12-and-under into the game receive free limited edition Chris Lipsett Mallards bobbleheads courtesy of Jumer's Casino. In addition 12-ounce drafts will be available for just $2 at the i wireless Center during Saturday night's game.

TICKETS

Single Game Tickets

Mallards tickets are available at the i wireless Center box office, Ticketmaster outlets and www.ticketmaster.com or through Ticketmaster charge-by-phone toll free at 1-800-745-3000. The box office is open Monday through Friday from 10:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., on Saturdays from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. and on game days from 10:00 a.m. through the end of the second period.

Group ICExperiences

Mallards group packages are fun, easy to plan and memorable and are a perfect fit for business outings, teams, and school groups, family gatherings and just about any other kind of outing. Groups of ten or more receive a discount off the regular walk-up ticket price and are seated together for all the action. The Mallards offer a wide variety of "Group ICExperiences," including packages that provide the chance to sit on the bench or in the penalty box before a game or ride the Zamboni and much more! The Mallards can also help you use a group outing as a fundraiser for your organization. For group ticket and fundraising information contact the Mallards at 309-277-1364.

ON THE AIR

Fans can listen to all the action of Mallards Hockey Presented by Genesis Sports Medicine this week and throughout the season on 93.9 WYEC-FM and on www.myqcmallards.com. Coverage starts with the Mallards Pre-Game Show Presented by Genesis Sports Medicine 30 minutes before opening faceoff. Live pay-per-view video webcasts of Mallards action is also be available at www.myqcmallards.com courtesy of B2 Networks.

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The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

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