Mallards Weekly Update

February 11, 2013 - Central Hockey League (CHL)
Quad City Mallards News Release


QUACK TRACKS

Stop Sign

Last Saturday's loss at Bloomington pushed the Mallards three points behind the eighth place Blaze- the Mallards would have moved past Bloomington with a regulation win- in the race for the final Central Hockey League playoff spot. The defeat also dropped the Mallards back to .500 for the season.

Roller Coaster

The Mallards sandwiched tight losses to Missouri last Tuesday and to the Blaze last Saturday around a 9-6 win over Bloomington last Friday. One night after that nine-goal outburst, the Mallards scored just once against the same foe.

Big Four

The Mallards tomorrow night kick off a four-game homestand during which they will face the three teams closest to them in the standings: Bloomington, Rapid City (twice) and Arizona. In addition to trailing Bloomington by three points, the Mallards are four points behind seventh place Rapid City and are five points behind sixth place Arizona. Quad City has one game in hand on the Blaze, two games in hand on the Rush and three games in hand on the Sundogs.

Friday Fireworks

The Mallards last Friday became the first CHL team to score nine goals in a game since Dayton blitzed Laredo 9-1 on March 18, 2012. Last Friday marked the first time the Mallards scored nine times in one game since a 9-1 rout of Dayton on January 13, 2013. Bloomington coach Brian Gratz- who last season was behind the Dayton bench- has been on the receiving end each of the last two times the Mallards have broken loose for nine goals. Also last Friday, the Mallards became the first CHL team to score seven goals in one period- the second- since Colorado ripped off seven goals in the second period of an 8-2 drubbing of Rapid City on November 21, 2008.

Home Sweet Home

The Mallards have scored at least seven goals in three of their last four home games and have gone 7-3-1 in their last 11 home games.

1,000

Shayne Toporowski is set to play his one thousandth career game tomorrow night. Toporowski is in his first season with the Mallards and the eighteenth year of a career that has seen him play for 16 teams- including the National Hockey League's Toronto Maple Leafs- in nine leagues on two continents.

The Mick

Mickey Lang's 12 game point-scoring streak (10-13-23)- as well as his run of five straight multiple point games (6-9-15)-ended last Friday. Lang's point streak is the third longest in the CHL this season. Last Friday marked the first time Lang has gone pointless in 2013. He last failed to get on the scoresheet when the Mallards were shutout 4-0 by the Americans in Allen on New Year's Eve.

Special Teams

The Mallards were held without a power play goal last Saturday after scoring at least once on the man advantage in each of their prior eight games and setting a team season high by scoring three power play goals last Friday. After spending much of the season in the league basement, the Mallards now rank seventh in power play efficiency (15.4 percent). The Mallards also gave up a season high three power play goals in last Friday's win. They lead the league in shorthanded goals (8) and rank fourth in penalty killing (83.8 percent)

Leaders

Lang leads the league in shorthanded goals (4), ranks fifth in goals (25), ranks sixth in points (56), is tied for sixth in power play goals (7) and plus/minus rating (+15) and is tied for tenth in assists (31). Mike Hellyer is tied for ninth in plus/minus (+14). Among rookies, Hellyer ranks second in points (40) and assists (25) while Mike Stinziani ranks third in points (37) and goals (18). Matt Duffy ranks fifth among defensemen in assists (22) and sixth in points (27). Bob Preece is tied for seventh among blue liners in goals (6). John Murray ranks fourth in minutes played (1501:41) and is tied for fifth in save percentage (.911) with teammate Neil Conway. Conway ranks eighth in goals against average (2.64).

Milestones

Jason Dixon played his two hundredth career game last Tuesday against Missouri...Anthony Perdicaro notched his first career hat trick and posted a career high four points last Friday against Bloomington... Terry Ruskowski has coached his teams to 395 CHL wins... Toporowski has played 999 career games...Jason Kostadine has played 493 career games... Duffy has played 196 career games ...Gabriel Boutin-Gagnon has played 95 career games.

Head-to-Head

The Mallards have gone 5-5-1 against the Blaze so far this season and have gone 3-1-0 at home. All-time, the Mallards are 38-18-3 against Bloomington...The Mallards have gone 1-0-2 against Arizona this season. The Mallards lost their lone prior home ice meeting this year with the Sundogs in a shootout 3-2 on January 8. All-time, the Mallards have gone 5-2-2 against Arizona...The Mallards have gone 2-1-0 against Rapid City this season. The Mallards won their lone prior home ice meeting this year with the Rush in a shootout 3-2 on November 18. All-time, the Mallards have gone 8-5-0 against Rapid City.

Ins and Outs

Derek Matheson departed the team last Friday and was placed on the Mallards' suspended list...Duffy (lower body injury) returned last Tuesday after missing two games...Cory McGillis (concussion) is on 30-day injured reserve.

NEXT HOME GAME

Tuesday, February 12, 7:05 p.m. - Mallards vs. Bloomington Blaze

2-for-Tuesday

Fans can enjoy $2 beer and soft drinks from i wireless Center concession stands during the Mallards' match-up with the Blaze.

Friday, February 15, 7:05 p.m.- Mallards vs. Rapid City

$1 Beer, $1 Dog College Night

All fans will be able to purchase hot dogs and beer for just $1 at i wireless Center concession stands through the end of the second intermission. In addition, college students can purchase tickets to the game for just $10 in person at the i wireless Center box office or by calling the Mallards' business office at 309-277-1364.

Saturday, February 16, 7:05 p.m.- Mallards vs. Arizona

Kids Night

The Mallards will offer free tickets to children 12 and under for the Mallards' Kids Night game against the Arizona Sundogs. Free tickets are available for up to six children accompanied by at least one adult. Kids' Night will also feature a bounce house inside the i wireless Center for the enjoyment of younger fans. In addition, mascot Mo Mallard will, as always, be on hand to join in the fun with young fans. Kids' Night tickets are available in person at the i wireless Center ticket office or by calling the Mallards at 309-277-1364.

Fellowship of Christian Athletes Faith Night

The Mallards have teamed with the Illowa Fellowship of Christian Athletes to enable area teams and youth groups to purchase discounted tickets to Saturday's game and enjoy concession specials during that contest. Before that game Illowa FCA co-director and WQAD News 8 sports contributor Dan Pearson will lead a pre-game testimonial and FCA huddle in the i wireless Center conference area. FCA members will conduct Saturday night's 50/50 drawing, the proceeds from which will benefit Child Life Charities.

ON THE AIR

Fox Sports Radio 1230 is the radio home of the Mallards. Mallards games broadcast on AM 1230 also stream live online at www.wfxn.net . A limited number of Mallards games will not air on Fox Sports Radio 1230 due to conflicts with University of Illinois basketball and football. Free audio webcasts of games that do not air on AM 1230 are available at myqcmallards.com. CHL-TV pay-per-view video webcasts of all Mallards games are also available at myqcmallards.com.

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 season 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 2:00 p.m. and on game days from 10:00 a.m. until the start of the second period. Individual game tickets are available for $13 in the upper level, $18 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.

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 .



Central Hockey League Stories from February 11, 2013


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