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Mallards Blast Tulsa 9-3; Ruskowski Moves into Third Place in CHL

November 30, 2013 - Central Hockey League (CHL)
Quad City Mallards News Release


MOLINE, Ill. - The host Quad City Mallards exploded for seven second period goals and Nick Grasso, Jeff Lee and Mike Stinziani all scored twice while Thomas Frazee piled up four assists as the Mallards thrashed the Tulsa Oilers 9-3 Saturday night. With the victory, Mallards coach Terry Ruskowski moved into third place all-time with 416 career Central Hockey League wins.

The Mallards entered the second period already in front 2-1 and proceeded to break the game open by matching the biggest single period offensive outburst in the league this season. Grasso, who also notched an assist, started the onslaught by batting the puck in out of mid-air at 1:46 of the second. Just 34 seconds later, Stinziani darted into the goalmouth to score his second goal, extend the Mallard lead to 4-1 and chase Oiler starting goaltender Shane Madolora from the game. The Mallards beat relief netminder Ross MacKinnon for the first time when Lee scored his second from the high slot at 6:45 of the middle frame. A Grasso tip-in stretched the margin to 6-1 just past the midway point of the contest. The Mallards closed the second with three straight special teams goals. Gergo Nagy coverted a shorthanded breakaway at 12:46, Dieude-Fauvel one-timed the Mallard first power play goal at 16:46 and- again on the man advantage- Jim McKenzie scored the Mallards' final goal from the slot at 18:14.

Third period goals from the Oilers' Ben Gordon- a shot that broke in off Mallard goalie Thomas Heemskirk (35 saves) at 2:40- and Adam Pleskach- his second of the game from point-blank range at 12:56- had no impact on the outcome.

Just 35 seconds into the game, Lee had provided a sign of things to come by burying Frazee's centering pass from the doorstep. Stinziani poked home a rebound to double the gap at 4:31 of the first period. Pleskach got Tulsa on the scoreboard for the first time from close range at 16:09 of the first, but the Oilers would have little to celebrate the rest of the evening.

Tonight's win moves Ruskowski past Chris Stewart into sole possession of third place in career CHL coaching victories. Ruskowski is in his second season behind the Mallard bench and his twelfth in the CHL. He previously piloting the Laredo Bucks- with whom he twice won the President's Cup title- and the Rio Grande Valley Killer Bees in the CHL.

The Mallards return to action next Friday night at 7:05 p.m on home ice against the Brampton Beast. Next Friday is another $1 Dog/$1 Beer Night presented by 97X. $1 hot dogs and $1 beers are available at iWireless Center concession stands during each of the Mallards' 11 Friday night home games this season. Next Friday also kicks off Rivalry Weekend presented by Pub 1848. The Mallards will play three straight home games (the Flock will also meet the Brampton next Saturday and Sunday) against the Beast, their newest Central Hockey League rival from north of the border.

Tickets for 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.



Central Hockey League Stories from November 30, 2013


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