MOLINE, Ill. (November 19, 2014) - Justin Fox- who also had an assist- capped off a late Quad City Mallard rally by scoring the tying goal with just 1:26 left in regulation and went on to score again in the shootout along with Mario Lamoureux- who also provided a goal in regulation- as the host Quad City Mallards (5-3-3) snatched a wild 4-3 shootout win over the Tulsa Oilers (6-4-2) Wednesday night. With the victory the Mallards extended their regulation unbeaten streak to six games (3-0-3).
Fox and Lamoureux replied for the Mallards after Adam Pleskach gave the Oilers the jump by scoring in the opening round of the shootout. Mallard goaltender Parker Milner- who made 22 saves in regulation and overtime- stonewalled the final four Tulsa shooters to clinch the win.
For the Mallards to even force the game to overtime and- as it proved- the shootout required a remarkable comeback from a 3-1 deficit in the dying moments of the third period. Mallards coach Terry Ruskowski pulled Milner for an extra attacker with just under three minutes remaining and the move paid off almost immediately when Evan Haney cut the gap to 3-2 with a one timer from the right wing circle at 17:37 of the third. Just 57 seconds later Fox followed up a Joe Perry rush to score the dramatic equalizer.
The Mallards' late outburst was actually the second rapid-fire offensive outbreak of the third. Lamoureux evened the score at one from the slot at 3:10 with the first of three goals in a span of 47 seconds. Unfortunately for the Mallards, it was the Oilers who ripped off the next two. Jon Booras's wrist shot form the high slot put Tulsa back on top only 27 seconds after Lamoureux's goal. A mere 20 seconds after that- at the 3:57 mark- Tommy Mele stretched the margin to two by firing the puck in under the crossbar.
The Oilers had first moved in front when Adam Pleskach broke a scoreless tie from the high slot at 8:41 of the second period.
Forward Antti Pusa returned to the lineup for the Mallards Wednesday night after missing five games while on the team's reserve list. Pusa was activated yesterday while forward Logan Nelson was placed on reserve.
The Mallards next play at home Friday night at 7:05 p.m. against the Rapid City Rush. Friday 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.
Single game tickets for all remaining Mallards regular season home games- including Friday's tilt- 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
