THIS WEEK
Wednesday, January 8, 7:05 p.m.
iWireless Center, Moline
Brampton Beast vs. Quad City Mallards
Friday, January 10, 7:05 p.m.
iWireless Center, Moline
Wichita Thunder vs. Quad City Mallards
Saturday, January 11, 7:05 p.m.
iWireless Center, Moline
Arizona Sundogs vs. Quad City Mallards
LAST WEEKEND
Friday, January 3
St. Charles 4 Quad City 3
Saturday, January 4
Quad City 5 St. Charles 0
Quad City
16-7-5 (37 points)
5th place
Coach: Terry Ruskowski
Brampton
16-14-2 (34 points)
6th place
Coach: Mark DeSantis
Wichita
11-17-4 (26 points)
8th place
Coach: Kevin McClelland
Arizona
12-18-1 (25 points)
9th place
Coach: Kevin Colley
QUACK TRACKS
Last Weekend
The Mallards rebounded after squandering a 3-1 third period lead in last Friday night's 4-3 home loss to the Chill by scoring four third period goals on the way to a 5-0 win in St. Charles the following evening.
Streaking
While last Friday's loss ended the Mallards' five game winning streak, the Mallards have now won six of their last seven games. The five game winning streak is the Mallards' longest this season.
Playing the Percentages
The Mallards, who have played fewer games than any other CHL team, boast the league's third best winning percentage (.661). With a win Wednesday over Brampton the Mallards would overtake Denver and move into fourth place.
Home Sweet Home
Last Friday's loss ended the Mallards' eight game (7-0-1) home regulation unbeaten streak. That defeat was the Mallards' first at the iWireless Center since falling at home to Brampton November 2.
On the Road
The Mallards have won five straight road games for the first time since they strung together five consecutive away victories between November 23 and December 13, 2011. The Mallards last won more than five in a row on the road when they ripped off seven straight wins away from home between December 31, 2010 and February 11, 2011.
Goals, Goals, Goals
The Mallards scored five times last Saturday after producing three goals or fewer in 11 of their prior 12 games. On the season, the Mallards rank fourth in the league in goals per game (3.6) despite the fact no Mallard ranks in the top 20 in the CHL in points.
Stingy
The Mallards, who have given up two goals or fewer in five of their last seven games, rank third in the CHL in fewest goals allowed per game (2.9).
Between the Pipes
Goaltender Thomas Heemskerk made 29 saves last Saturday on the way to his second shutout in his last four games, his second in his last two starts against St. Charles and the second of his career. Heemskerk has won four straight games and has posted a 1.50 goals against average and a .947 save percentage along with two shutouts during that streak
Rookie of the Month
Goaltender Ty Rimmer last Thursday was named December CHL Goaltender of the Month after going 3-0-2 with a 2.00 goals against average and a .938 save percentage in the final month of 2013.
Streaking, Take 2
Forwards Jim McKenzie (2-4-6) and Gergo Nagy (1-4-5) are on five game point scoring streaks. Nagy has also produced four goals and 17 points over his last 15 games. Defenseman Benjamin Dieude-Fauvel scored twice last Saturday and has now ripped off four goals and totaled five points (4-1-5) in his last five games.
Leaders
Mike Hellyer is tied for second in game winning goals (5)...Among rookies, Thomas Frazee ranks second in assists (15), ranks third in points (22) and is tied for seventh in goals (7)...Heemskerk ranks second in goals against average (2.50) and fourth in save percentage (.919)...Rimmer ranks ninth in goals against average (2.84) and save percentage (.907).
Milestones
McKenzie has recorded 98 career assists...Darren McMillan has played 494 career games and collected 96 career CHL assists...Vladimir Nikiforov has played 294 career games.
Special Teams
The Mallards rank last in the CHL in power play efficiency (11.8 percent). The Mallards have now scored on just one of their last 26 power plays, converted just two of their last 50 man advantages and cashed in just three of their last 66. The Mallards rank fourth in penalty killing (83.9 percent) and are tied for the league lead in shorthanded goals (6).
Head to Head
The Mallards have gone 5-1-1 against Brampton this season. With a 3-2 victory last Monday, the Mallards completed a sweep of a three game series in Brampton. They have gone 5-0-1 against the Beast since losing their first ever meeting with Brampton on November 2. The Mallards have gone 2-1-1 against the Beast at home this season. Gergo Nagy (3-6-9) and Jim McKenzie (3-6-9) are the top point scorers in the season series. The two clubs will meet a total of 13 times this season...Friday's game is the first of three this season between the Mallards and Thunder. Last season the Mallards went 3-3-0 against the Thunder overall and 1-1-0 at home. All-time the Mallards have gone 5-11-0 against Wichita overall and 3-5-0 at home...The Mallards have gone 0-0-2 against Arizona this season. The Mallards suffered a pair of 3-2 shootout losses November 22 and 23 in Prescott Valley. All-time the Mallards have gone 5-2-4 against the Sundogs and have posted a 3-1-1 at the iWireless Center against Arizona. The Mallards and Sundogs will wrap up their five game season series with meetings March 7 and 8 in the Quad Cities.
Ins and Outs
Defenseman Nicholas Rioux signed a professional tryout agreement with the American Hockey League's Iowa Wild today...Forward Jordan Lane served a two-game CHL suspension during the Mallards' games last Monday in Brampton and last Friday against St. Charles. Lane was suspended after being assessed a game misconduct during the Mallards' Saturday, December 28 game at Brampton.
NEXT HOME GAME
Wednesday, January 8, 7:05 p.m.- Mallards vs. Brampton Beast
Winning Wednesday Presented by T.G.I. Friday's
This Wednesday game is the Mallards' first Winning Wednesday presented by T.G.I. Friday's. If the Mallards win a Wednesday night home game all in attendance win free tickets for the next Wednesday game. In addition, $2 beer and hot dogs will be available during Wednesday night tilts. After each Wednesday night game, fans can join the Mallards for a postgame party at T.G.I. Friday's next to the iWireless Center.
Friday, January 10, 7:05 p.m.- Mallards vs. Wichita Thunder
$1 Dog/$1 Beer Friday Presented by 97X
This Friday is another $1 Dog/$1 Beer Night presented by 97X. $1 hot dogs and $1 beers are available at iWireless Center concession stands during each of the Mallards' 11 Friday night home games this season.
Saturday, January 11, 7:05 p.m.,- Mallards vs. Arizona Sundogs
Genesis Jersey Auction
The Mallards will wear special edition Wild affiliate jerseys when they take on the Arizona Sundogs Saturday. Immediately after the game those jerseys will go up for bid in a live auction to benefit the Genesis Health Services Foundation.
Youth Jersey Giveaway Presented by Scott County Family Y and Two Rivers YMCA
The first 1,000 fans age 12 and under through the doors for Saturday's game will receive a free Mallards replica youth jersey courtesy of Scott County Family Y and Two Rivers YMCA.
ON THE AIR
Fox Sports Radio 1230 is the radio home of Mallards Hockey Presented by Genesis Power Sports Performance. Mallards games broadcast on AM 1230 also stream live online at www.wfxn.net. A limited number of Mallards games- including Wednesday night's- will not air on Fox Sports Radio 1230 due to conflicts with University of Illinois basketball and football and Green Bay Packer football. Free audio webcasts of games that do not air on AM 1230 are available at myqcmallards.com. CHL-TV pay-per-view video webcasts of all Mallards games are also available at myqcmallards.com. For a full Mallards broadcast/webcast schedule, go to
TICKETS
Single Game Tickets
Single game tickets for all Mallards regular season contests are now available. Fans can contact the Mallards at (309) 277-1364 orinfo@myqcmallards.
Group Tickets
Groups of at least ten can receive savings off the walk-up price and a host of other great group benefits. Mallards group tickets are a great fit for youth organizations, friends, co-workers, family groups, religious groups, school functions and business events. For more group ticket information, fans can contact the Mallards at (309) 277-1364 or info@myqcmallards.
