Mallards Weekly Update

October 14, 2009 - International Hockey League 2 (IHL 2)
Quad City Mallards News Release


THIS WEEK

Saturday, October 17, 6:30 p.m.

Perani Arena and Event Center, Flint, Michigan

Quad City Mallards vs. Flint Generals

Quad City Flint

Preseason: 2-0-0 Preseason: 1-0-1

2008-09: did not play 2008-09: 22-47-2 (51 points), 6th place

Coach: Frank Anzalone Coach: Jason Muzzatti

LAST WEEK (PRESEASON)

Quad City Flint

Saturday, October 10 Friday, October 9

Quad City 1 Bloomington 0 (at Decatur) at Port Huron 3 Flint 2 (SO)

Sunday, October 11 Saturday, October 10

Quad City 3 Bloomington 2 (OT) (at Davenport) at Flint 6 Port Huron 2

QUACK TRACKS

Taking Flight

The Mallards return to the ice for regular season action this Saturday for the first time since the United Hockey League (the linear predecessor of the International Hockey League) Mallards defeated the Muskegon Fury 7-2 on April 7, 2007. This Saturday will mark the first time the Mallards have represented the Quad Cities in a game of any stripe since falling 8-4 to the Rockford IceHogs on April 22, 2007 in the fifth and deciding game of an opening round playoff series between the two teams.

Exhibition Excellence

The Mallards posted a pair of one-goal exhibition wins over the Bloomington PrairieThunder last weekend. The Mallards and Sebastien Laplante (23 saves) blanked Bloomington 1-0 in Decatur last Saturday night. Terry Harrison scored the only goal of the game late in the third period. Less than 24 hours later Jean Desrochers' overtime goal gave the Mallards a 3-2 win at the Quad City Sports Center in Davenport. Harrison and Patrick Levesque scored the other Quad City goals.

Preseason Producers

Harrison (2-0-2) and Levesque (1-1-2) both picked up a point in each of the Mallards' exhibition games. Laplante's shut out effort was the only whitewashing produced in IHL exhibition play this year.

Value of Experience

Right wing Chris Lipsett is the most experienced player on the Mallards' roster. The Ottawa native is entering his fourteenth professional season. The Mallards are the fourteenth pro team for whom he has played. When Lipsett first takes to the ice in the regular season for Quad City, he will have played in both the new IHL and the old IHL (he skated with the Houston Aeros for one game in 2000-01). To date Lipsett has played 745 career games (on two continents) and produced 304 goals, 313 assists and 617 points.

Repatriated

Harrison has returned to North America after playing in Europe for the last two seasons and three of the last four. The Winnipeg native played in France last season for HC Neuilly-sur-Marne and has also played in Italy and Finland. Harrison last played in North America in 2006-07 for the ECHL's Long Beach Ice Dogs. Along with Desrochers (Fassa/Italy), Matt Armstrong (Nijmegen/Netherlands), Marc Desloges (Passau/Germany), Luciano Lomanno (Val Gardena/Italy) and Juris Stals (Dynamo Riga/KHL), Harrison is one of six players currently on the Mallards' roster who spent last season in Europe.

Familiar Faces

Lipsett and Desrochers have both played for Mallards Coach Frank Anzalone before- Lipsett in Roanoke (ECHL) in 1996-97 and 1997-98 and in Lowell (AHL) in 1998-99 and Desrochers in Johnstown (ECHL) in 2005-06 and 2006-07.

Together Again

Though the Mallards are a first year team, two pairs of Mallards are entering their second straight season as teammates. Lipsett and defenseman Jason Goulet both played for Rapid City (CHL) last year. Defenseman Matt Burke and goaltender Kyle Jones both suited up for Phoenix (ECHL) last season.

General Meeting

This Saturday's Quad City-Flint matchup is the first meeting between the two teams since the Generals defeated the previous incarnation of the Mallards 5-4 in a shootout on April 6, 2007. The Mallards won the 2006-07 UHL season series between the two teams- Quad City went 5-1-1 against Flint. All-time in UHL play the Mallards went 57-29-11 in 97 games against the Generals.

Connections

The Mallards forward Joel Gasper and Flock defenseman Jay Holladay both played for the Generals last season. Gasper spent 53 games with Flint and produced ten goals and 29 points after coming over from Port Huron early in the campaign. The Mallards acquired Gasper last month in exchange for the rights to forward Tyler Willis, who had been selected by Quad City this summer in the dispersal draft that followed the Kalamazoo Wings' departure from the IHL for the ECHL. Holladay played eight games and produced three points for the Generals at the tail end of year after skating for Fort Wayne for the majority of the season. Forward Mike Zbriger is the third former General on the Mallard roster. Zbriger had seven goals and 14 points in 29 games with Flint in 2006-07.

SCOUTING REPORT

Flint

Preseason saw the Generals fall in a shootout to the Icehawks in Port Huron last Friday before rebounding to drop their intra-state rivals 6-2 one night later at home. Veteran forward Pascal Rheaume, who sat out Flint's exhibition opener, led the Generals attack last Saturday night with two goals and one assist. Defenseman Tyler Howells also produced three preseason points (2-1-3). Forward Solomon McCann (2-0-2) scored in both exhibition games...Forwards Rheaume and Tony Tuzzolini, defenseman Burke Henry and goaltender Jean-Francois Labbe all have National Hockey League experience...Rheaume, 36, is a veteran of 318 NHL games with the New Jersey Devils, St. Louis Blues, Chicago Blackhawks, Atlanta Thrashers, New York Rangers and Phoenix Coyotes... The 37-year old Labbe, who saw NHL action with the Rangers and Columbus Blue Jackets, spent most of the last six seasons in Europe. He played in Austria with the Vienna Capitals each of the last two years...Forward Greg Bullock, 36, brings another dose of experience to the Flint lineup. Bullock, who is entering his third season in Flint, last year finished fourth in the IHL in assists (58) and fifth in points (85) and led the Generals in both categories...Wills, 32, is yet another old hand on whom the Generals will count. This will be Willis's seventh straight season in the UHL/IHL. He played six years with Kalamazoo before the Wings exited the IHL...Muzzatti takes the head coaching reigns in Flint this season after serving as an assistant with the Generals last year. Muzzatti, a goaltender, spent 2007-08- his sixteenth and final season as a professional player- in the Generals' net. The former Michigan State star played in the NHL for the Calgary Flames, Hartford Whalers, New York Rangers and Hartford Whalers. Muzzatti also played for Italy at the 2006 Winter Olympics.

UPCOMING HOME GAMES

Saturday, October 24, 7:05 p.m.- Mallards vs. Fort Wayne Komets

"Faceoff Rocks"- 4:00 p.m.- Night Ranger in concert, Triple Merchandise Giveaway,

Hockey Hall of Fame Fan Fest

"Faceoff Rocks" brings hard rock legends Night Ranger to the Quad Cities perform live outside the i wireless Center before the Mallards' home opener. 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. Giveaways start when Faceoff Rocks kicks off at 4:00 p.m., so fans are encouraged to arrive early. 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. Faceoff Rocks will 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.

Friday, October 30, 7:05 p.m.- Mallards vs. Flint Generals

Genesis Official Game Puck Giveaway Night, World's Largest Trick-or-Treat

The first 1,000 fans through the doors will receive free Mallards game pucks courtesy of Genesis Health System. October 30 will also see the Mallards bid to hold the World's Largest Indoor Trick-or-Treat. Costumed children will be able to fill up their treat bags by trick-or-treating throughout the i wireless Center as candy is distributed to children at each section of the arena. All children in costume will also be invited onto the ice for a costume parade.

TICKETS

Single Game Tickets

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.

Group ICEexperiences

Mallards group packages are fun, easy to plan and memorable and are a perfect fit for business outings, teams, church and school groups, family gatherings and just about any other kind of outing. Groups of ten or more receive a discount off the regular walk-up ticket price and are seated together for all the action. The Mallards offer a wide variety of "Group ICExperiences," including packages that provide the chance to sit on the bench or in the penalty box before a game or ride the Zamboni and much more! The Mallards can also help you use a group outing as a fundraiser for your organization. For group ticket and fundraising information contact the Mallards at 309-277-1364.

Season Tickets/Mini Plans

Mallards Quack Pack season tickets or 10-Quack mini plans are still available! To save big and enjoy a host of special benefits and exclusive access with season tickets or mini plans, fans can contact the Mallards at 309-277-1364.

UPCOMING APPEARANCES

Wednesday, October 14, 6:00 to 8:00 p.m.- Buffalo Wild Wings, Moline

"Mallards Madness" Tour

Coach Frank Anzalone and Mallards players meet, spend time with and get to know area fans.

Thursday, October 15, 6:00 to 8:00 p.m.- Kelly's Irish Pub, Davenport

"Mallards Madness" Tour

Coach Anzalone will be joined by Mallards players as the Mallards Madness Tour rolls into Davenport.

Monday, October 19, 6:00 to 8:00 p.m.- Jersey Grille, Davenport

"Mallards Madness" Tour

Coach Anzalone and Mallards players will stop by the Jersey Grill

Tuesday, October 20, 1:25 p.m.- Adams Elementary, Davenport

Blades for Grades

Mallards players will speak to students, encourage constructive behavior and sign autographs as part of the Mallards Blades for Grades program.

Tuesday, October 20, 6:00 to 8:00 p.m.- Tailgaters, Moline

"Mallards Madness" Tour

Mallards Madness makes a visit close to home as Coach Anzalone and Mallards players rub elbow with fans at Tailgaters.

ON THE AIR

Fans can listen to all the action of "Mallards Hockey Presented by Genesis Health System" this Saturday night and throughout the season on 93.9 WYEC-FM and on www.myqcmallards.com. The Mallards Pre-Game Show Presented by Genesis Health System starts at 6:00 p.m. Saturday; opening faceoff is slated for 6:30 p.m. Live pay-per-view video webcasts of Mallards action will also be available at www.myqcmallards.com courtesy of B2 Networks.



International Hockey League 2 Stories from October 14, 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.

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