Mallards Weekly Update

December 5, 2011 - Central Hockey League (CHL)
Quad City Mallards News Release


QUACK TRACKS

Back-to-Back

The Mallards swept a pair of games in Laredo over the weekend, downing the Bucks 4-1 last Friday and 5-1 last Saturday. This marks the third time this season the Mallards have won back-to-back games.

Closing In

The Mallards will enter tomorrow night's game against the Rush just one point behind fifth place Rapid City in the Turner Conference standings. The Flock will overtake the Rush and move into sole possession of fifth if Quad City defeats Rapid City in regulation. A Mallard win in overtime or a shootout would leave the two clubs tied for fifth.

On the Road In the wake of last weekend's successful trip to Laredo, the Mallards have now won three straight road games and are 6-4-0 away from home this season.

Stingy The Mallards allowed just one goal in each of their two wins last weekend and have given up a total of just four goals in their last three games.

Production The Mallards have scored at least four goals in four of their last five games.

Penalty Kill

The Mallards have gone 11-for-12 on the penalty kill over their last three games and have now climbed to fourth in the league in penalty killing (81.5 percent). Brandon Marino and Justin Chwedoruk both scored first period shorthanded goals last Saturday night against Laredo after the Mallards scored a single shorthanded goal during their first 15 games.

Power Play The Mallards set a team season high by scoring three power play goals in last Friday's win in Laredo. Quad City ranks fourth in the league on the power play (22.5 percent).

Fast Start The Mallards have scored first in each of their last three games after giving up the first goal in each of their prior four outings.

On Top

The Mallards did not trail in either of their last two games after finding themselves behind at some point in each of their prior 11 games and in 13 of their first 14 games.

Little Big Man Marino (10-11-21) leads the Mallards in goals, assists, points, power play goals (4) and shorthanded goals (2).

He is tied for second in the league in shorthanded goals and is tied for fourth in total goals and power play goals.

100 Chwedoruk's goal last Saturday was the one hundredth of his career. Chwedoruk (7-9-16) reached the century mark in his three hundred seventy-eighth career game. Over the shorter term, Chwedoruk has matched a team season best by recording points in five straight games (3-3-6) and has scored five goals and totaled 12 points in eight games since returning from a three-game concussion-induced absence.

Welcome Back Jake Riddle (3-1-4) went pointless in his first game (November 25) with the Mallards this season but has scored in each of his three games since then and totaled four points in those three tilts.

Between the Pipes David McKee stopped 58 of the 60 shots he faced while posting back-to-back wins over Laredo last weekend. McKee established a personal season high by making 34 saves last Saturday against the Bucks.

Conference Call

The Mallards last weekend secured their first two wins of the season over Berry Conference opposition and improved to 2-2-0 against foes from the Berry Conference on the campaign.

Ins and Outs

Sean Flanagan has missed the Mallards' last four games (concussion) while John Snowden has missed eight games.

Head-to-Head

The Mallards have gone 0-1-0 so far this season against both Rapid City and Missouri. The Flock fell to the Rush 5-1 on October 22 on home ice and dropped a 2-1 decision to the Mavericks on November 26 at the i wireless Center. The Mallards and Gems on Saturday meet for the fourth time this season. Dayton won two of the first three get-togethers between the two clubs. The Mallards did win their most recent battle with the Gems- Quad City claimed a 4-3 shootout victory on November 23 in Dayton.

UPCOMING HOME GAMES

Tuesday, December 6, 7:05 p.m.- Mallards vs. Rapid City Rush $2 Tuesday

Fans can purchase $2 soft drinks and $2 beers at i wireless Center concession stands during all Tuesday night home games this season.

Friday, December 9, 7:05 p.m.- Mallards vs. Missouri Mavericks Pink in the Rink Night



Central Hockey League Stories from December 5, 2011


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