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Mallards' Winning Streak Ends in Rapid City; Stefanovich Hat Trick Propels Rush

December 11, 2015 - ECHL (ECHL)
Quad City Mallards News Release


RAPID CITY, S.D. - Mikhail Stefanovich ripped off his second hat trick in as many games and his third of the season and Danny Battochio made 29 saves as the host Rapid City Rush (12-7-2) defeated the Quad City Mallards (13-8-3) 5-2 to halt the Mallards' five-game winning streak Friday night.

Stefanovich had already completed his hat trick and scored what proved to be the game winner before the end of the second period. Stefanovich kick-started the Rush in the second by snapping a 1-1 tie and giving Rapid City its first lead with a drive from the high slot just 1:05 into the period. After the Sam Warning tied the score at two on a shorthanded breakaway at the 9:23 of the second, Stefanovich struck again to give the Rush a lead they would not relinquish with just over two minutes left in the middle frame. Stefanovich buried Dan Barczuk's centering pass for his third goal.

The Rush finished off the Mallards with two more goals in the third period. James Melindy's solo rush stretched the gap to 4-2 at 5:21 of the third and Spencer Pommell capped off the Rapid City victory by scoring an empty net goal with just 1.2 seconds remaining.

It was, unsurprisingly, Stefanovich who had started the Rapid City charge. After the Mallards took a 1-0 lead when Matt Carey blasted home a 5-on-3 power play goal from the top of the right wing circle at 7:49 of the first period, Stefanovich tied the game from the doorstep at 17:22 of the first.

The Mallards and Rush meet again tomorrow night in Rapid City. The Mallards next play at home next Friday, December 18 at 7:05 p.m. against the Wheeling Nailers. The first 1,000 fans through the doors for that game will receive free Mallards winter caps courtesy of KWQC-TV6. Next Friday also brings the return of $1 Dog/$1 Beer Night presented by 97X and MetroLINK College Night.

Single game tickets for all Mallards regular season home games- including next Friday's game- are on sale now at the iWireless Center box office, Ticketmaster outlets, ticketmaster.com and Ticketmaster charge-by-phone toll free at 1-800-745-3000. The box office is open weekdays from 10:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. and Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Tickets are available for $10, $16, $20 and $28.



ECHL Stories from December 11, 2015


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