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Vaive Scores Hat Trick, Cyclones Stave off Mallard Comeback Bid

January 8, 2018 - ECHL (ECHL)
Quad City Mallards News Release


MOLINE, Ill. - Justin Vaive ripped off a first period hat trick and the Cincinnati Cyclones (16-9-1)- who would later strike for a pair of shorthanded goals- staved off the host Quad City Mallards' (8-16-2) comeback bid on the way to a 7-4 victory Friday night.

The Cyclones were on a two man advantage when Vaive pounced on a rebound to give Cincinnati a 1-0 lead at 4:48 of the opening period. Just 14 seconds later, with the the Cyclones up 5-on-4, Winston Day Chief scored Cincinnati's second by burying Daniel Muzito-Bagenda's centering pass.

The Mallards briefly trimmed the gap to 2-1 when Josh MacDonald finished off a 2-on-1 rush at 11:02 of the first but Vaive quickly replied by completing his hat trick with two goals in 26 seconds- the first just 27 seconds after MacDonald scored. Vaive reestablished the two goal Cyclone lead at 11:29 with a one-timer. At 11:55 he completed his hat trick from the slot. Matt O'Connor replaced Mallard starting goaltender Eric Hartzell after that goal.

Rob DeFulviis' shorthanded breakaway goal stretched the lead to 5-1 just 22 seconds into the second period but the Mallards then picked themselves up to score three straight goals and pull back within one. MacDonald fired in a rebound at 12:03 of the second to start the Mallard revival with his second goal of the night. Chris Francis' close range goal reduced the deficit to 5-3 at 3:31 of the third period. It was during a Mallard power play that a Kenney Morrison blue line blast made it 5-4 at 9:19 of the third, but for a second time the Cyclones would restore their two-goal cushion less than a minute after the Mallards closed within one. Cincinnati was again shorthanded when Justin Danforth raced in toward the Mallard net off the left wing to score the vital insurance goal at 10:14. Jesse Schultz- who also had two assists- capped off the Cyclone win by converting Shawn O'Donnell's centering feed at the 16:04 mark.

About the Quad City Mallards: One of the winningest teams in all of minor league hockey, the Mallards competed in the United Hockey League from 1995 through 2007; in the International Hockey League in 2009-10; and in the Central Hockey League from 2010 through 2014. The Mallards' proud history has seen them capture the UHL's Colonial Cup Championship three times (1997, 1998, 2001) and secure that league's Tarry Cup four times (1998, 2000, 2001, 2002) for the best overall regular season record. In 2001, the Mallards made professional hockey history, recording their sixth consecutive season with 50 or more wins, a feat that has yet to be matched. The TaxSlayer Center provides a unique environment for hockey and features one-of-a-kind seating areas such as the Nest for groups and functions and the exclusive Drake Club.

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