Mallards Game Day

Published on October 23, 2015 under ECHL (ECHL)
Quad City Mallards News Release


Mallards Notes

Last Game

Ian Lowe delivered the winning goal in the shootout after picking up two assists in regulation as the host Wichita Thunder scored a 5-4 shootout victory Saturday night over the Mallards, who came from behind three times and got a pair of goals from Logan Nelson on the way to earning one point.

For Starters

The Mallards have emerged from their first two regular season games unbeaten in regulation for the first time since they won their first two contests of the 2005-06 United Hockey League campaign.

Home Sweet Home?

The Mallards have suffered regulation defeats in each of their six home openers since the team returned to the ice in 2009 following a two year interregnum during which the Quad City Flames competed in the American Hockey League. The Mallards, who were blanked 3-0 by the Rapid City Rush in their first iWireless Center tilt last season, are winless (0-6-1) in their last seven home openers. The Flock last started its home slate with a win on October 21, 2005 while in the United Hockey League when it downed the Motor City Mechanics 4-3 in a shootout.

Rally

The Mallards rallied from 1-0, 3-1 and 4-3 deficits on the way to earning one point in last Saturday's 5-4 shootout loss at Wichita.

Logan's Run

Logan Nelson scored three goals in the Mallards' first two games and, dating back to last season, has scored 11 goals in his last 11 regular season games. Nelson on Saturday evening scored the Mallards' quickest two goals of the young season. He struck twice in 91 seconds, scoring first at 11:14 of the second period and again at 12:45.

Between the Pipes

Steve Michalek has started each of the Mallards' first two games in goal. Michalek made 20 saves to help the Mallards earn one point last Saturday after stopping 33 shots in his professional debut on the way to a 2-1 win last Friday in Allen.

A-Plus

Matt Neal last Friday in Allen wore the alternate captain's "A" for the first time- in the tenth regular season game of his career. One night later Wichita, Neal produced his first two points of the season and forced overtime by scoring his first goal of the campaign with just 1:46 left in regulation.

Welcome Back

Vladimir Nikiforov last Satuday in Wichita scored his first goal for the Mallards since clinching a game seven opening round Central Hockey League playoff victory over the Rapid City Rush with a third period goal on April 16, 2014. Nikiforov, who had 14 goals, 31 assists and 45 points in 63 games for the Mallards during the 2013-14 regular season, has returned after spending last season in Europe playing for 1. EV Weiden in Germany, Orlik Opole in Poland and Coventry Blaze in the United Kingdom.

Iron Man

Mike Monfredo, who has played 206 consecutive games since joining the Mallards three years ago, recorded assists in each of the Mallards' first two games and finished opening weekend with a team-best plus/minus rating of +3.

Shootout

The Mallards last Saturday were outscored 2-1 in their first shootout of the season. The Mallards last season went 6-3 in shootouts.

Road Warriors

The Mallards went 1-0-1 on the road last weekend after last season posting a better record on the road (20-12-4) than at home (17-16-3).

Special Teams

The Mallards and their foes both went 1-for-7 on the power play over opening weekend.

Head to Head

The Mallards went 4-4-0 against the Oilers overall last season and 2-3-0 at home. All-time, the Mallards are 12-11-0 against Tulsa and have registered an 8-6-0 home record against the Oilers. The two clubs will meet a total of five times this season.

Quad City Mallards Game Day

Friday, October 23, 7:05 p.m.

Quad City Mallards vs. Tulsa Oilers

iWireless Center

Watch: ECHL.TV

Listen: ECHL.TV

Quad City

1-0-1, 3 points

3rd place, Midwest Division

Coach: Terry Ruskowski

Tulsa

1-2-0, 2 points

4th place, Central Division

Coach: Jason Christie

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ECHL Stories from October 23, 2015


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