Mallards Split Opening Pair in Muskegon

April 18, 2005 - International Hockey League 2 (IHL 2)
Quad City Mallards News Release


The Mallards opened the 2005 UHL Colonial Cup Playoffs by stinging the Muskegon Fury with a 5-1 win on Friday night in Muskegon. The defending Colonial Cup Champions rallied to take Game Two by a score of 3-2. With the series even at a game apiece, the scene shifts to The MARK for games on Tuesday and Friday of this week.

Following Games Three and Four at The MARK, the teams will return to Muskegon for Game Five on Saturday. If necessary, the teams will wrap up the week with Game Six at The MARK on Sunday at 6:00 p.m. Game Seven, if necessary, would be played in Muskegon on Tuesday, April 26th.

2005 UHL Quarterfinal Playoff Series vs. Muskegon (all times Central)

Game 1-Friday, April 15th Quad City 5 at Muskegon 1

Game 2-Saturday, April 16th Quad City 2 at Muskegon 3

Game 3-Tuesday, April 19th at The MARK 7:00 p.m.

Game 4-Friday, April 22nd at The MARK 7:00 p.m.

Game 5-Saturday, April 23rd at Muskegon 6:30 p.m.

Game 6-Sunday, April 24th at The MARK 6:00 p.m. (if necessary)

Game 7-Tuesday, April 26th at Muskegon 6:30 p.m. (if necessary)

Upcoming Games

· Games Three and Four-Tuesday, April 19th and Friday, April 22nd at The MARK-The series shifts to The MARK for Games Three and Four. The Mallards are 37-21 all-time at home in the post-season. Both games start at 7:00 p.m.

· Game Five-Saturday, April 23rd at L.C. Walker Arena in Muskegon Michigan- The Mallards return to L.C. Walker Arena for Game Five on Saturday. This game will air on WOC AM 1420 in the Quad Cities beginning with the First Capital Financial Pre-Game Show at 6:05 p.m. central time. The Allstate Insurance Del Newton/Christy Cox Post-Game Show follows the contest.

· Game Six-Sunday, April 24th at The MARK (If necessary)-The Mallards and Fury will wrap up a three games in three nights weekend on Sunday at The MARK. Game time is 6:00 p.m.

· Game Seven-Tuesday, April 26th at L.C. Walker Arena in Muskegon, Michigan (If necessary)-If still deadlocked after six games, the Mallards and Fury will meet for the final time this season on April 26th at L.C. Walker Arena. Game time is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. central time with the First Capital Financial Pre-Game Show beginning at 6:05 p.m. After the game, stay tuned for the Allstate Insurance Del Newton/Christy Cox Post-Game Show.

Quad City Playoff History

1995-96 Quarterfinal Flint defeats Quad City 4-0

1996-97 Quarterfinal Quad City defeats Muskegon 3-0

Semifinal Quad City defeats Thunder Bay 4-2

Final Quad City defeats Flint 4-2

1997-98 Quarterfinal Quad City defeats Madison 4-3

Semifinal Quad City defeats Muskegon 4-2

Final Quad City defeats Flint 4-3

1998-99 Quarterfinal Quad City defeats Asheville 4-0

Semifinal Quad City defeats Thunder Bay 4-2

Final Muskegon defeats Quad City 4-2

1999-2000 Quarterfinal Quad City defeats Mohawk Valley 4-1

Semifinal Quad City defeats Fort Wayne 4-1

Final Flint defeats Quad City 4-0

2000-01 Quarterfinal Quad City defeats Muskegon 3-1

Semifinal Quad City defeats Fort Wayne 3-0

Final Quad City defeats Asheville 4-1

2001-02 Quarterfinal Quad City defeats Flint 3-2

Semifinal Muskegon defeats Quad City 4-3

2002-03 Quarterfinal Quad City defeats Rockford 3-0

Semifinal Quad City defeats Muskegon 4-2

Final Fort Wayne defeats Quad City 4-1

2003-04 Quarterfinal Muskegon defeats Quad City 3-0

Duck Talk

Tonight, the Mallards are back at The Blackbear Lounge at The Lodge for Duck Talk beginning at 7 p.m. This week's guests are Terry Hollinger, Andy Fermoyle and Anthony Blumer along with coach Paul Gillis. Duck Talk can also be heard on Fox Sports Radio AM 1230.

Last Week (1-1-0):

Friday, April 15th Quad City 5 at Muskegon 1

Saturday, April 16th Quad City 2 at Muskegon 3

Last Week's Games

Game One-Friday, April 15th-Quad City 5 at Muskegon 1

The Mallards thumped Muskegon 5-1 in the first game of the series. Goaltender Robert Gherson was spectacular in the opening period as he made four stellar saves (three to deny Jason Lawmaster with Muskegon on the power play and one vs. Brant Blackned at even strength). For the period, Gherson exchanged nine saves with Muskegon's Sylvain Daigle and the period went scoreless. In the second, the Mallards broke through Daigle's wall as Marty Standish scored off a goal-mouth scramble. Less than two minutes later, Frantisek Skladany deposited a turnover into the back of Daigle's net to give the Mallards a 2-0 lead. In the third, Muskegon's Billy Collins scored to cut the Mallards lead to a goal. Muskegon pushed furiously for the equalizer, but could pull no closer before Patrick Nadeau scored to give the Mallards a 3-1 lead. A.J. MacLean's first playoff goal and a Marty Standish power-play goal sealed the win at 5-1.

Game Two-Saturday, April 16th-Quad City 2 at Muskegon 3

In a hotly contested affair, the Mallards came up one goal short as Muskegon evened the series at one game apiece. The Fury opened the scoring on a power play just 3:07 into the first period. B.J. Gaustad recorded the marker to give the Fury a lead for the first time in the series. Quad City's Jamie Thompson tied the game on a power-play goal ten minutes after Gaustad's tally. The first period ended even at one. In the second, the team again exchanged goals-this time at even strength. Billy Collins tallied for the second time in the series to give Muskegon a 2-1 lead at the 5:19 mark of the second. Mike Kompon answered 35 seconds later with his first playoff goal. In the third, Muskegon defenseman Kevin Haupt scored on the power play for what would prove to be the game-winning goal. With Muskegon ahead 3-2, the Mallards mounted a feverish comeback late in the third period. Justin Brown hit the crossbar on a 2-on-1 break, and Mike Kompon was robbed by Sylvain Daigle on a goal-mouth scramble to thwart the Mallards best scoring chances. The Fury survived the late scares to even the series at one game each.

Tickets on sale now!

Tickets for all Mallards playoff home games are available at The MARK box office or via phone at (563) 326-1111.

On The Air

Games Three, Four, Six and Seven of the Mallards Series with Muskegon can be heard on Fox Sports Radio AM 1230. Game Five will air on WOC AM 1420. The First Capital Financial Pre-Game Show begins 25 minutes before the opening face off. After the game, stay tuned for the Allstate Insurance Del Newton/ Christy Cox post-game show.



International Hockey League 2 Stories from April 18, 2005


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