Mallards Open with 3-1 Win in Flint

Published on October 17, 2009 under International Hockey League 2 (IHL 2)
Quad City Mallards News Release


Flint, MI - The Quad City Mallards, proud International Hockey League (IHL) affiliate of the Philadelphia Flyers, tonight won their inaugural season opener as Patrick Levesque, Juris Stals and Terry Harrison (who also had one assist) provided the goals and Sebastien Laplante made 27 saves in a 3-1 defeat of the host Flint Generals.

Levesque scored the Mallards' first goal by burying a Harrison centering feed at 3:58 of the second period. Flint goaltender Rob Nolan (37 saves) kept the Mallards off the scoreboard for the remainder of the second- often in spectacular fashion- but the Mallards would finally extend their lead to 2-0 just 28 seconds into the third period when Juris Stals rifled the puck home from the right wing circle. Harrison's empty net goal iced the win with just 51 seconds left.

The Mallards had to deal with their only disappointment of the evening just under 20 seconds later when John Mori ended Laplante's shutout hopes by blasting the puck in from the top of the right wing circle. That late goal notwithstanding, Laplante was sharp throughout- he made perhaps his most important save on Tony Tuzzolino's penalty shot to keep the game scoreless at 15:35 of the opening period.

The Mallards now return home for "Faceoff Rocks" next Saturday, featuring not only the Mallards' home opener against Fort Wayne but also hard rock legends Night Ranger live in concert outside the i wireless Center, are now on sale. "Faceoff Rocks" is also the start of Opening Week for the Mallards in the Quad Cities. The Flock will play at the i wireless Center twice in seven days- "Faceoff Rocks" will be followed on Friday, October 30, by a home battle with Flint, an evening that will also feature the World's Largest Indoor Trick-or-Treat and, for the first 1,000 fans through the doors, the Genesis Official Game Puck Giveaway.

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.

"Faceoff Rocks" kicks off a 38-game home schedule loaded with special events, unique promotions and giveaways. The Mallards and the i wireless Center have also teamed up to "Faceoff Rocks" festivities begin at 4:00 p.m. on October 24; admission to all events -- including the Night Ranger concert -- is free with a ticket to the Mallards' game. The first 2,500 fans to arrive for "Faceoff Rocks" will receive a free Mallards opening night t-shirt. The Mallards will also give away free team magnet schedules and Mallards Thunderstixx. Fans taking in the Night Ranger concert will also have the chance to enjoy an outdoor beer garden and giant screen plasma television outside the i wireless Center. The fun will not stop there. "Faceoff Rocks" will also feature a Hockey Hall of Fame Fan Fest including the Hall's largest collection of Legends of Hockey travelling exhibits and memorabilia and interactive games.

Share: Facebook | Twitter/X | LinkedIn | Reddit | Email



International Hockey League 2 Stories from October 17, 2009


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.

OurSports Central