Mallards Outlast Wichita in Shootout 5-4

December 23, 2011 - Central Hockey League (CHL)
Quad City Mallards News Release


MOLINE, IL - Mickey Lang converted the deciding penalty shot after also scoring in regulation as the host Quad City Mallards outlasted the Wichita Thunder 5-4 in shootout Friday night. The win- the Mallards' first in six tries all-time against the Thunder- propelled Quad City into a tie for third place in the Central Hockey League's Turner Conference and lifted the Flock's record in the month of December to 8-2-1, while the shootout setback-for which Wichita did earn one point- halted the Thunder's five game winning streak.

Lang ended the game by burying the Mallards' sixth penalty shot after Brandon Marino had earlier in the shootout given Quad City the lead only for Matt Summer to respond with a tying goal for Wichita.

The shootout was necessitated by an overtime period that featured great saves at either end from former Mallard teammates David Brown (who finished the night with 26 stops) for the Flock and Adam Russo (39 saves) for Wichita and saw the Mallards outshoot the Thunder 8-2 but somehow failed to produce a deciding goal.

In regulation, the Mallards thrice took the lead only for the Thunder to rally and tie the game on each occasion. The Mallards were seemingly closing in on a regulation win after Jared Brown scored a power play goal from the high slot to give Quad City a 4-3 lead at 13:54 of the third period- a period in which the Flock outshot the Thunder 18-6. However, with just over two and a half minutes remaining in regulation, Wichita's Andrew Martens scored his second goal of the night from the blue line to force sudden death.

The second period had turned into a five-goal roller coaster after Lang pounced on a loose puck in front of the Wichita net for the only goal of the first period just two minutes and forty seconds into the game. The Mallards were shorthanded when Jeremy Boyer extended the Quad City lead to 2-0 with a blast from the right wing circle just 27 seconds into the second. The Thunder, undaunted, would quickly bounce back by scoring two goals in two minutes and eight seconds. Wichita was still on the power play when Matt Robinson jammed in the first Thunder goal from the doorstep a mere 50 seconds after Boyer scored. At 3:24 of the second Martens's drive from the high slot knotted the score at two.

Brandon Marino swept a rebound home to reestablish the Mallard lead at 7:27 of the middle frame. That advantage lasted until Wichita's Alex Bourret stepped into the slot at 16:58 and wristed home the power play goal that evened the game at three apiece.

Also on Friday, the Mallards announced that defenseman Justin Hofstetter has been granted leave by the CHL due to immigration issues.

The Mallards next play at home next Tuesday night at 7:05 p.m. against the Rapid City Rush. Fans can purchase $2 soft drinks and $2 beers at i wireless Center concession stands during all Tuesday night home games this season.

Single game tickets for all Mallards regular season home contests- including next Tuesday night's game- are now available. Fans can contact the Mallards at (309) 277-1364 or tickets@myqcmallards.com for more information about tickets.

Single game tickets are also available at the i wireless Center box office, at Ticketmaster outlets, through www.ticketmaster.com or through Ticketmaster charge-by-phone toll free. The box office is open weekdays from 10:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., on Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. and on game days from 10:00 a.m. until the start of the second period. Individual game tickets are available for $12 in the upper level and $17 in the lower level and $25 for the first row along the glass for adults. Tickets for kids 12 and under are available for $5 off adult rates. In addition, tickets are available to military personnel for $2 off the regular adult rate.



Central Hockey League Stories from December 23, 2011


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