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Bligh Hat Trick Propels Fuel Past Mallards

April 5, 2017 - ECHL (ECHL)
Quad City Mallards News Release


INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. (April 4, 2017) - Nick Bligh's hat trick propelled the host Indy Fuel (23-40-7) to a 6-3 victory over the Quad City Mallards (40-26-4) Tuesday night.

Bligh struck for back-to-back second period goals after the Fuel's Josh Shalla snapped a 1-1 deadlock with a wrist shot from the top of the left wing circle just one minute and 44 seconds into the second. Bligh's one-timer stretched the gap to 3-1 at 4:16. Bligh then widened the Indy lead to three goals by converting Matt Rupert's cross-crease pass at 12:33.

Justin Kovacs sparked Mallard comeback hopes by finishing off a give-and-go with Nolan LaPorte just one minute and nine seconds after Bligh scored his second. Midway through the third period, Donnie Harris' blast from the right wing circle cut the deficit to just one goal, but Bligh would complete his hat trick by shoveling in a vital insurance goal from close range at 13:19 of the third. Jake Marchment's empty net goal capped off the Fuel win with just 4.5 seconds left.

The Fuel had provided a very early sign of things to come when Alex Wideman scored on a breakaway just ten seconds into the first period. The Mallards rebounded to tie the game at one when Chris Francis scored from the slot at 13:59 of the first, but the Mallards could not quite recover again after the Fuel broke loose for three second period goals.

The Mallards play their final regular season home game Friday night at 7:05 p.m. against the Komets. The twentieth season throwback jerseys worn by the Mallards in select games throughout the season will be auctioned off after Friday's game. Winning bidders will receive their jerseys after the end of the Mallards' playoff run. Friday also brings the return of $2 Dog/$2 Beer Night presented by 97X. Fans can enjoy $2 hot dogs and beers from iWireless Center concession stands during every Friday Mallards home game. In addition, the Mallards have once again this season partnered with Metro to provide transit service between Augustana College and downtown Moline during all Friday home games. As part of Metro's unlimited ride program, Augustana riders can use their Augustana ID as their fare.

Single game tickets for Friday night's game 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. and Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.

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