Mallards Weekly Update

Published on December 19, 2011 under Central Hockey League (CHL)
Quad City Mallards News Release


QUACK TRACKS

Streaking

The Mallards swept a home-and-home series from Missouri last weekend to finish a stretch of four road games in five nights with a 3-1-0 record and improve their record in the month of December to 7-1-1. The Mallards' December record is the best in the Central Hockey League.

Bronze

The Mallards' recent hot streak has lifted the Flock into third place in the Turner Conference. The Mallards can move past Evansville into second place if Quad City defeats Bloomington tomorrow night. An overtime or shootout loss to the Blaze would leave the Mallards tied for second. Last Saturday night's overtime win over Missouri actually propelled the Flock into a tie for second place with the IceMen, but Evansille yesterday earned one point for an overtime loss to the Mavericks to reclaim sole possession of the second spot.

Welcome Home Last Saturday's win over the Mavericks kicked off a five-game homestand for the Mallards- the Flock's longest homestand of the season.

On the Road Last Friday's win in Missouri was the Mallards' sixth in their last seven away games. With last Friday's victory, the Mallards successfully rebounded from a loss two nights earlier in Arizona that had ended the Flock's five game road winning streak. The Mallards, who have gone 9-5-0 on the road this season, are tied with Allen and Missouri for league lead in away wins.

Overtime

Justin Chwedoruk scored just 12 seconds into overtime to give the Mallards the win last Saturday against Missouri. That victory was the Mallards' second sudden death win in five days. Eric Giosa scored his second overtime goal of the season- and his fourth in two years with the Mallards- 44 seconds into the extra period last Tuesday night in Arizona to give Quad City a 4-3 victory. The Mallards are now 3-0 in games decided in overtime this season.

Stingy The Mallards have given up three goals or fewer in five straight games and in eight of their last nine outings.

Power Play The Mallards rank third in the league on the power play (21.9 percent) despite having gone 1-for-16 on the man advantage over their last three games.

Comeback Kids The Mallards have come from behind in nine of their 13 wins this season.

Best Shot The Mallards remain the league leaders in shots on goal (37.0 per game) and have taken better than 40 shots in a game nine times this season.

Little Big Man Brandon Marino (14-17-31) is tied for second in the CHL in goals and points, is tied for the league lead in shorthanded goals (3) and is tied for third in power play goals (5). Marino leads the Mallards in goals, assists, points and shorthanded goals and is tied for the team lead in power play goals. By scoring his fourteenth goal last Friday at Missouri, Marino set a new career high for goals in a season in his twenty-third game of the year, eclipsing the previous high of 13- in 72 games- he established as a rookie in 2009-10. Last Friday also marked the eighth time this season Marino has recorded at least two points in a game; he has registered three or more points in a contest on five occasions.

G-Man

Eric Giosa (12-16-28) last Saturday saw a four game point-scoring streak during which he piled up nine points (four goals and five assists) come to an end. Giosa has collected 15 points (seven goals and eight assists) in just his last ten games. He is tied for sixth in the league in goals and tied for third in power play goals (5).

Snowy John Snowden's (8-9-17) seven-game point scoring streak- the longest by a Mallard this season- also ended last Saturday against the Mavericks. Snowden produced 11 points (four goals and seven assists) during that streak.

Between the Pipes David McKee went 3-0-0 last week with a 1.99 goals against average and a .933 save percentage and is unbeaten in regulation (6-0-1) in seven December starts during which he has posted a 1.97 goals against average and a .932 save percentage. Two of McKee's three wins last week came in overtime, including last Tuesday's 4-3 victory at Arizona, a

game in which McKee set a personal season high by making 37 saves. McKee also backstopped the Mallards last Friday and Saturday in both ends of the Flock's home-and-home sweep of the Mavericks.

Head-to-Head

The Mallards this season have gone 4-0-0 against Bloomington and have gone 2-0-0 against the Blaze at home. Dating back to last season, the Flock has won six straight games against the Blaze overall and has also ripped off six consecutive home wins over Bloomington. In their first meeting of the season with the Thunder, the Mallards fell 4-1 in Wichita on November 11. The Mallards have lost their first five match-ups with Wichita since entering the CHL last season.

Ins and Outs

Sean Flanagan returned from injured reserve last Friday after missing nine games. Mickey Lang has missed the Mallards' last four games while on I.R.

UPCOMING HOME GAMES

Tuesday, December 20, 7:05 p.m.- Mallards vs. Bloomington Blaze $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 23, 7:05 p.m.- Mallards vs. Wichita Thunder Dispatch Good Fellow & Argus Santa Night $1 from every ticket purchased at the i wireless Center box office for Friday night's game will be donated to the Dispatch Good Fellow & Argus Santa Holiday Fund. The fund is marking its one hundred fourth year of helping needy Quad Cities area families have a brighter holiday season.

Winnie's Place Gift Drive The Mallards have teamed with Winnie's Place, a shelter for women and children who are homeless or are victims of abuse, to hold a gift drive leading up to Friday night's game. Fans who donate a new or gently used women's gift (pajama pants or gift certificates are preferred) receive $5 off the price of their ticket to Friday night's game. Donations can be made in advance of the game either at Winnie's Wishes, which is located at 902 East River Drive in Davenport, or at the Mallards' business office at the i wireless Center. Donations will also be accepted in the i wireless Center lobby on Friday evening. Upon making a donation, fans will receive a voucher good for $5 off a ticket to Friday's game; vouchers can be redeemed at the i wireless Center box office.

Santa Claus is Coming to Town

Santa Claus will take a break from his Christmas preparations in order to visit the i wireless Center for Friday night's game. Old Saint Nick will drop the puck in a ceremonial opening faceoff before Friday evening's contest and will be available for photographs- and autographs!- on the main concourse during the first intermission.

TICKETS

Single Game Tickets

Single game tickets for all Mallards regular season contests are now available. Fans can contact the Mallards at (309) 277-1364 or tickets@myqcmallards.com for more information about both ticket packages and single game tickets. Single game tickets are also available at the i wireless Center box office, at Ticketmaster outlets, through www.ticketmaster.com or through Ticketmaster charge-by-phone toll free. The box office is open weekdays from 10:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., on Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. and on game days from 10:00 a.m. until the start of the second period. Individual game tickets are available for $12 in the upper level, $17 in the lower level and $25 for the first row along the glass for adults. Tickets for kids 12 and under are available for $5 off adult rates. In addition, tickets are available to military personnel for $2 off the regular adult rate.

Group Tickets Groups of at least ten can receive savings off the walk-up price and a host of other great group benefits. Mallards group tickets are a great fit for youth organizations, friends, co-workers, family groups, religious groups, school functions and business events. For more group ticket information, fans can contact the Mallards at (309) 277-1364 or tickets@myqcmallards.com.

Holiday 4-Pack

The Mallards' Holiday 4-Pack enables fans to purchase a ticket to four Mallards home games of their choice in December or January and also receive a Mallards hat and a puck autographed by their favorite Mallard. Holiday 4-packs are available starting at $60 for adults and $40 for kids 12 and under. More information on the Holiday 4-Pack is available by contacting the Mallards at (309) 277-1364 or tickets@myqcmallards.com.

ON THE AIR

Catch the Mallards' games this week on Fox Sports Radio 1230, the radio home of the Mallards. Live pay-per-view video webcasts of Mallards action are also available at www.myqcmallards.com courtesy of CHL-TV.

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Central Hockey League Stories from December 19, 2011


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