Mallards Overcome Port Huron In Shootout, Extend Regulation Unbeaten Streak

Published on November 25, 2009 under International Hockey League 2 (IHL 2)
Quad City Mallards News Release


Moline, Ill. (November 25, 2009) - The undermanned host Quad City Mallards, proud International Hockey League (IHL) affiliate of the Philadelphia Flyers, Wednesday evening defeated the Port Huron Icehawks 3-2 in a shootout to stretch the Mallards' unbeaten streak in regulation to three games, enable the Mallards to pick up points for the fourth time in their last five outings and propel Quad City past the Flint Generals- on whom the Mallards have three games in hand- and out of last place in the IHL standings.

Juris Stals converted the deciding penalty shot in the third round, giving the Mallards 2-1 win in the shootout after Patrick Levesque had buried the second Quad City chance to erase a 1-0 Port Huron shootout lead. Stals has now found the back of the net in consecutive games- he scored in regulation in the Mallards shootout loss to Fort Wayne on Sunday.

Mallard goaltender Kyle Jones was beaten only by Mike Kinnie in the shootout, stopping two Port Huron penalty shots after making 31 saves in regulation and overtime.

The Mallards were forced to go the extra mile to claim the victory after the Icehawks rallied from a 2-0 deficit to force overtime.

The Mallards first jumped in front when Chris Lipsett- who would produce a goal and an assist for a second straight game- cut across the goalmouth and tucked a backhander just inside the post to open the scoring at 11:52 of the first period.

Just 61 seconds into the second period the Mallard lead stretched to 2-0 when Mike Zbriger finished off a give-and-go with Lipsett. The goal was Zbriger's second point of the night and his second goal and third point in his last two outings. It also lifted him into a tie for the team point scoring lead.

The Icehawks were on the power play when Mikael Bedard buried a rebound from the side of the net to cut the gap to 2-1 at 9:05 of the second period.

With just under three minutes left in regulation and Port Huron once more on a power play Bedard would strike again, providing the equalizer with a one timer from the right wing circle. In the end however, it would be the resilient Mallards- who dressed just 16 skaters- who would bounce back to claim two valuable points.

The Mallards are next in action Saturday night at 7:00 p.m. at the i wireless Center when they take on the Bloomington PrairieThunder. The first 1,000 fans ages 12-and-under through the doors for that game will receive free Chris Lipsett Kids Bobbleheads courtesy of Jumer's Casino. Also on Saturday evening 12-ounce drafts will be available for just $2 at i wireless Center concession stands.

Tickets for Saturday's game and all remaining regular season Mallards home games 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.

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International Hockey League 2 Stories from November 25, 2009


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