MOLINE, Ill. (January 7, 2015) - Mario Lamoureux scored on the power play at 1:53 of overtime and the host Quad City Mallards (17-12-5) recovered after surrendering a 3-0 third period lead to defeat the Wichita Thunder (16-11-6) 4-3 Wednesday night and break a tie with the Thunder for second place in the ECHL's Central Division.
Lamoureux- who also had an assist- ended the contest with a one timer from the right wing circle.
The Thunder forced overtime by erasing a three-goal deficit in just two minutes and 29 seconds late in the third period. R. G. Flath buried a rebound to trigger the Wichita rally at 13:18 of the third. Todd Hosmer cut the gap to one in a goalmouth scramble at 14:50. A mere 57 seconds later Ian Duval tied the score from the left wing circle.
The Mallards built their three goal cushion over the opening 40 minutes. Justin Fox scored twice in the first period. Fox buried Antti Pusa's goalmouth feed 3:27 into the game and then rifled the puck in under the crossbar from the left wing circle with just 30 seconds left in the period. Todd Fiddler jammed in the third Mallard goal at 18:07 of the second period.
The Mallards and Thunder meet again Friday night at 7:05 p.m. at the iWireless Center. Friday also brings the return of $1 Dog/$1 Beer Night presented by 97X and MetroLINK. Fans can enjoy $1 hot dogs and beers from iWireless Center concession stands during all Friday home games. 97X will follow in the spirit of the evening by presenting hot dog-themed intermission entertainment.
Tickets for all remaining Mallards regular season home games- including Friday night's contest- 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., Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. and game days from 10:00 a.m. until the start of the second period. Tickets are available for $10, $16, $20 and $28.
About the Quad City Mallards
A proud affiliate of the National Hockey League's Minnesota Wild and the American Hockey League's Iowa Wild, the Quad City Mallards are in the midst of their eighteenth season and their first in the ECHL. 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 iWireless 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. For more information on the Quad City Mallards or for Mallards tickets go to www.myqcmallards.net. Fans can also follow the Mallards via Twitter at twitter.com/myqcmallards
