Mallards Weekly Update

October 21, 2009 - International Hockey League 2 (IHL 2)
Quad City Mallards News Release


QUACK TRACKS

Fine Firsts

Last Saturday's win in Flint was the first victory for the Mallards since the Flock's United Hockey League predecessors downed Muskegon 7-2 on April 7, 2007. Patrick Levesque scored the first goal for the new Mallards at 3:58 of the second period last Saturday night. The goal was the first scored in regular season play by a Mallard since Patrick Nadeau found the net at 12:18 of the April, 2007, win in Muskegon. The last Mallard to score a goal in a competitive game of any sort before Levesque was Chad Woollard, who lit the lamp on April 22, 2007, at 19:40 of the third period of an 8-4 loss to Rockford in the fifth and deciding game of a first round playoff matchup between the two teams.

Super Sebastien

Mallards Goaltender Sebastien Laplante last Saturday night made his two hundred fiftieth career game one to remember by stopping 27 shots and coming within 32 seconds of shutting out Flint. Preseason and regular season combined, Laplante made it through almost all of his first two full games in a Mallard uniform without being scored upon. He had whitewashed the opposition for 119:28 before finally surrendering a goal to Flint's John Mori in the final minute of Saturday night's contest. In his only prior game in Quad City colors, Laplante backstopped the Flock to a 1-0 exhibition win over the Bloomington PrairieThunder on October 10 in Decatur. For his efforts last Saturday night Laplante was named IHL Goaltender of the Week.

Doubling Down

Terry Harrison (one goal and one assist) and Jean Desrochers (two assists) last Saturday night became the first members of the IHL Mallards to record more than one point in a single game.

Flock First

Defenseman Shane Lovdahl recorded his first career point while making his professional debut last Saturday night by assisting on Juris Stals' game winning goal.

Men for All Seasons

Harrison and Levesque have now both recorded at least one point in each of their first three games- preseason and regular season combined- with the Mallards. Harrison has totaled four points (3-1-4) in those three outings, while Levesque has notched three points (2-1-3).

Back to the Marsh

The Mallards this Saturday will play their first regular season home game since the UHL Mallards defeated the Muskegon Fury 4-2 on April 1, 2007. This Saturday will mark the first time the Mallards will have played a game of any stripe at the i wireless Center since Quad City fell to the Rockford IceHogs 3-1 in game four of an opening round UHL playoff series on Friday, April 20, 2007.

Holding the Fort

The Mallards and Komets last met on March 23, 2007 when the Mallards eked out a 7-6 shootout win in Fort Wayne. All-time the Mallards went 33-28-7 against the Komets in UHL play.

Connections

Laplante and defenseman Jay Holladay both played for the Komets last season. Holladay scored three goals and totaled 15 points in 57 games with Fort Wayne before being traded to Flint late in the 2008-09 campaign. In 16 games with the Komets last year, Laplante went 10-2-2-1 with a 3.13 goals against average, a .891 save percentage and one shutout.

SCOUTING REPORT

Fort Wayne

The Komets rallied late to defeat the expansion Gems in Dayton in the season opener for both teams last Friday night. One night later Fort Wayne travelled to Port Huron and suffered a see-saw 5-4 loss to the Icehawks...P.C. Drouin (0-4-4) and Matt Syroczynski (2-2-4) are tied for second in the IHL in point scoring after both recorded two points in each of the Komets' two games last weekend. Drouin is also tied for the early league lead in assists...41-year old Konstantin Shafranov (1-2-3) nearly matched the output of Drouin and Syroczynski last weekend. The Kazakh winger just edges 39-year old defenseman Guy Dupuis for the distinction of being the oldest player on the Fort Wayne roster...Reigning IHL Goaltender of the Year Nick Boucher last Friday night made 39 saves- more in one game than any other netminder made over the league's opening weekend. One night later Boucher gave up five goals- no goaltender gave up more in a single game over the opening weekend...Drouin played three National Hockey League games for the Boston Bruins in 1996-97...seven current Komets- Boucher (three), Drouin (four), Dupuis (thirteen), Shafranov (seven) Kevin Bertram (seven), Colin Chaulk (seven) and David Hukalo (five)- have played for Fort Wayne in at least three different seasons...veteran Komets Coach Al Sims has piloted Fort Wayne to both the Turner Cup and regular season titles each of the last two years and has now steered the club to the Turner Cup a total of three times. Sims is in the third season of his second stint behind the Komets' bench. He capped of his initial four-year run in Fort Wayne by piloting the Komets to the 1993 Turner Cup. Sims spent one season- 1996-97- as head coach of the NHL's San Jose Sharks. As a player, Sims, a defenseman, skated in 476 NHL games with Boston, Hartford and Los Angeles.

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, 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 21, 6:00 to 8:00 p.m.- Hooters, Davenport

"Mallards Madness" Tour

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

Thursday, October 22, 6:00 to 8:00 p.m.- Twenty Bar & Grill, Moline

"Mallards Madness" Tour

Coach Anzalone will be joined by Mallards players as the Mallards Madness Tour wraps up in Moline.

Friday, October 23, 6:30 to 8:00 p.m.- Penguins Comedy Club, Davenport

Quad City Hockey Association Fundraiser

Mallards players will lend a hand and share in some laughs as the Quad City Hockey Association takes over Penguins to raise funds for youth hockey programs.

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. This Saturday WYEC will broadcast live from Faceoff Rocks beginning at 4:00 p.m. and until the start of the Mallards Pre-Game Show Presented by Genesis Health System at 6:30 p.m.; opening faceoff is slated for 7:05 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 21, 2009


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