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Mallards Weekly Update

October 28, 2009 - International Hockey League 2 (IHL 2)
Quad City Mallards News Release


QUACK TRACKS

Flock Falls

The Fort Wayne Komets last Saturday night handed the Mallards a 3-1 defeat in Quad City's home opener. The score of the loss- the Mallards' first setback of the season- mirrored that of the Flock's season-opening victory in Flint on October 17.

Flock Firsts

At 12:58 of the first period of the Mallards' home opner, Mike Zbriger became the first Mallard to score in a regular season game at the i wireless Center since Chad Woollard scored at 18:28 of the third period of the Flock's 5-4 shootout loss to Flint on April 6, 2007. Zbriger's goal was also his first for Quad City; defenseman Matt Burke assisted on the goal- his first assist in a Mallard uniform.

Reunion

Goaltender Sebastien Laplante took the loss last Saturday despite making 31 saves in his first appearance against the Komets since being selected off the Fort Wayne roster by the Mallards in July's IHL expansion draft. Laplante has started in goal in each of the Mallards' first two games and- early on- ranks second in the league in goals against average (2.02) and save percentage (.935) after stopping 58 of the first 62 shots he has seen. Kyle Jones, the Mallards' other netminder, has yet to see regular season action.

Isn't That Special (Teams)?

Zbriger's goal last Saturday was the Mallards' first on the power play this season- Quad City is now 1-for-12 on the advantage. The Mallards are the only team in the International Hockey League that has not yet allowed a power play goal. The Flock is 8-for-8 in penalty killing.

Quick Out of the Gate

Terry Harrison (1-1-2) and Jean Desrochers (0-2-2), both of whom recorded two points in the Mallards' season opener, remain the club's top point producers in the early going.

Number 99

Combining IHL and United Hockey League play, this Friday's game between the Mallards and Generals is the ninety-ninth all-time regular season meeting between the two teams. The Mallards improved to 58-29-11 all-time against the Generals by opening the season with a 3-1 win in Flint on October 12.

Infrequent Flights for Flock

The Mallards have played just two games this so far this season; no other IHL club has played fewer than four. This weekend is the third straight that will see Quad City play just a single game.

Connections

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 the year after skating for Fort Wayne for the majority of the season. Zbriger is the third former General on the Mallard roster. He had seven goals and 14 points in 29 games with Flint in 2006-07.

Ins and Outs

Injury kept forward Juris Stals out of last Saturday's game...Forward Sal Peralta signed with the Mallards last week and made his Flock debut last Saturday...The Mallards released forward Mike Maier and defenseman Kyryll Katrych last week.

SCOUTING REPORT

Flint

The Generals have lost four straight games since opening the season with a win over Muskegon. Flint's October 17 loss to the Mallards was followed last weekend by three defeats in three nights. Port Huron swept a home-and-home series with the Generals before Dayton compounded Flint's difficulties with a 5-4 win over the Generals on Sunday. Last Friday in Port Huron the Generals found themselves deadlocked at two after two periods only for the Icehawks to take the contest with a pair of third period goals. One night later Flint jumped in front 1-0 on a Jamie Schaafsma first period goal but then surrendered four unanswered Port Huron goals. The Generals held 2-1 and 3-2 leads last Sunday only for the Gems to rally with three straight goals for the win...Pascal Rheaume (1-4-5) is the Generals' leading point scorer. Rheaume, Tyler Howells (2-1-3) and John Ronan (1-1-2) all had one goal and one assist in Sunday's setback...Schaafsma (2-2-4) and Howells are the only Generals who have scored twice this season...Flint has given up at least 37 shots in each of its last four games. The Generals have been outshot in four of their first five outings...Veteran Jean Francois Labbe (1-2-0, 3.30, .916) and rookie Rob Nolan (0-2, 2.73, .922) have split Flint's goaltending duties this season... Forwards Rheaume and Tony Tuzzolini, defenseman Burke Henry and goaltender Labbe all have National Hockey League experience... Veteran forward Greg Bullock (1-2-3) picked up two assists Sunday in Dayton after going pointless in his previous three games. Bullock last year finished fourth in the IHL in assists (58) and fifth in points (85) and led the Generals in both categories...Flint's Derek Parker leads the league in penalty minutes (60)- as do the Generals as a team (175)...The Generals have been shorthanded nearly twice as many times (28) as they have been on the power play (15)... Muzzatti took over 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

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 Sports Medicine. Friday night will also see the Mallards bid to hold the World's Largest Indoor Trick-or-Treat. All costumed kids will receive a free ticket to Friday's game courtesy of Genesis and Hardee's when accompanied by a ticketed adult. 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 shown live on the i wireless Center video board.

Saturday, November 7, 7:05 p.m.- Mallards vs. Muskegon Lumberjacks

Mini-Stick Giveaway Night Presented by Reynolds Ford

The first 1,000 fans ages 12-and-under through the gates will receive free mini-sticks courtesy of Reynolds Ford.

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

Thursday, October 28, 7:30 to 8:00 a.m.- Lincoln-Irving Elementary, Moline

Red Ribbon Week

Mallards players will meet students to start the day and support Red Ribbon week. The Red Ribbon is a symbol of intolerance of illegal drugs.

Sunday, November 1, 2:00 to 3:00 p.m.- Day of the Dead Celebration, Davenport

Putnam Museum & IMAX Theatre

Mallards will meet fans and sign autographs as part of the annual Day of the Dead celebration in Davenport. The Putnam Museum & IMAX Theatre is located at 1717 West 12th Street in Davenport.

ON THE AIR

Fans can listen to all the action of Mallards Hockey Presented by Genesis Sports Medicine this Friday night and throughout the season on 93.9 WYEC-FM and on www.myqcmallards.com. This Friday evening coverage will start with the Mallards Pre-Game Show Presented by Genesis Sports Medicine 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 28, 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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