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Mallards Outlast Blaze in Shootout 5-4

February 4, 2012 - Central Hockey League (CHL)
Quad City Mallards News Release


MOLINE, Ill. - Jared Brown, Eric Giosa and Brandon Marino- who finished the evening with three points- all scored in regulation and all converted penalty shots to propel the host Quad City Mallards to a 5-4 shootout victory over the Bloomington Blaze Saturday night. With the win, the Mallards, who are in fifth place in the Central Hockey League's Turner Conference, improved to 24-18-1 (49 points).

"It wasn't a pretty win," said Mallards coach and general manager David Bell. "At this point...we'll take two points any way we can get them."

Quad City led twice in regulation but failed to put the Blaze away before securing victory with a perfect shootout performance. The Mallards buried each of their penalty shots while Quad City goaltender David Brown- who made 30 saves in regulation and overtime- stopped all three Bloomington shooters.

Early on it seemed a much easier night might have been in store for the Mallards as Quad City jumped out to a 2-0 first period lead. Jared Brown opened the scoring by burying Mickey Lang's centering pass at 3:21 of the first. The Quad City lead doubled when Marino rifled home a Lang centering feed at 15:39, but the two-goal margin lasted just 18 seconds before Jerry Pollastrone scored the Blaze's first goal from the left wing circle.

Bloomington's Mark Znutas pounced on a rebound to tie the game at two at 1:36 of the second period.

Giosa put the Mallards on top for a second time by jamming in a power play goal in a goalmouth scramble with just over 47 seconds remaining in the second.

The Blaze would rally again in the third period. Bloomington was on the power play when Vladimir Nikiforov's blue line blast evened the score at three 2:23 of the third. Jordy Trottier swept in a rebound to give Bloomington its first lead at 4:44. The Mallards, however, responded to knot the score at four just one minute and forty-two seconds later when Sean Flanagan jabbed the puck in from the doorstep. Flanagan's goal was the last before the Mallards put the game away in style in the shootout.

The Mallards return to action on home ice Tuesday night at 7:05 p.m. against the Dayton Gems. Fans can purchase $2 soft drinks and $2 beers at i wireless Center concession stands during all Tuesday night home games this season.

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