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Perdicaro, Mallards Erupt, Down Bloomington 9-6

February 8, 2013 - Central Hockey League (CHL)
Quad City Mallards News Release


MOLINE, Ill. - Anthony Perdicaro produced a hat trick and an assist as the host Quad City Mallards exploded for seven second period goals and set a Central Hockey League season high for goals in one game while defeating the Bloomington Blaze 9-6 Friday night. With the win- the Mallards' twentieth of the season- Quad City moved over .500 (20-19-5, 45 points), improved to 5-1-1 in its last seven games and pulled within one point of eighth place Bloomington in the race for the final CHL playoff spot.

The Mallards' second period onslaught commenced only after Steve Makway's close range power play goal evened the score at one for the Blaze 13 seconds into the period. The deadlock lasted until Perdicaro rifled in his first of the night- on the power play- from the right wing circle at 2:48 of the second. The Mallard lead stretched to 3-1 when Shayne Toporowski tipped the puck home just 26 seconds later. At 6:42, Perdicaro buried the rebound to make it 4-1 after Blaze starting goaltender Dan Dunn stopped Perdicaro's initial bid. Dunn was replaced by Pier-Olivier Pelletier after giving up the fifth Mallard goal of the night on Mike Stinziani's wrapround at 9:36. Pelletier was beaten for the first time when Mickey Lang pounced on a rebound for the fifth straight Mallard goal and Quad City's sixth overall at 15:25. The Blaze would briefly slow Mallard momentum when Gilbert buried another point-blank power play goal at 17:21, but Perdicaro provided the perfect reply just 21 seconds later by completing his hat trick from the slot with what would prove to be the game winning goal. Bob Preece capped off the Mallards' eruption in the middle frame with a rocket from the left wing circle that expanded the gap to 8-2 with just 19 seconds left in the period.

The Blaze would bounce back to narrow the margin to 8-5 with three straight third period goals. Brett Lutes triggered Bloomington's run by scoring from the edge of the crease at 2:33 of the third, Matt Larke swept the Blaze's second goal of the period and fourth of the night in from the slot at 9:57 and Jared Walker deflected Bloomington's third man advantage goal past Mallard goaltender John Murray(28 saves) at the 12:40 mark. The Mallards recovered from that outburst with a third power play goal of their own- scored by Mike Hellyer from the high slot at 18:27. Just over half a minute later- with just under a minute left in the game- Bloomington's Matt Puntureri scored the final goal of a wild evening from the slot.

Early in the evening, neither team provided any indication of the fireworks to come- the Mallards grabbed the only goal of the first period by turning tic-tac-toe passing into a point-blank Obi Aduba power play opener just over four minutes into the game. However, 14 goals over the final two periods would follow the lone goal scored in the opening 20 minutes.

Also on Friday, the Mallards announced that defenseman Derek Matheson has departed the team and been placed on the Mallards' suspended list.

The Mallards and Blaze meet again tomorrow night in Bloomington before both clubs return to the i wireless Center for another head-to-head battle next Tuesday at 7:05 p.m. Next Tuesday evening is also a 2-for-Tuesday- $2 beers and soft drinks will be available at i wireless Center concession stands during the game.

Tickets for next Tuesday night's tilt- as well as seats for all remaining Mallards regular season home games- can also be purchased in person at the i wireless Center ticket office, at Ticketmaster outlets, through www.ticketmaster.com or through Ticketmaster charge-by-phone toll free at 1-800-745-3000. The ticket 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.

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