Best-of-Seven Series Starts Friday in Texas
Mallards Host Games Three and Four April 23 and 25;
Game Five, If Necessary, April 26 at iWireless Center
RAPID CITY, S.D. (April 16, 2014) - The Quad City Mallards tonight defeated the host Rapid City Rush 3-1 in the seventh and deciding game of the opening round of the Central Hockey League President's Cup playoffs to advance to a best-of-seven CHL semi-final match-up with the Allen Americans that will begin Friday night in Allen.
After opening the second round at the Allen Event Center Friday night, the Mallards and Americans will meet in game two next Sunday afternoon in Allen. The series will shift to the Quad Cities for game three next Wednesday night, April 23 and game four next Friday evening, April 25. Both of those contests will face off at 7:05 p.m., as would a potential fifth game which, if necessary, will be played next Saturday, April 26 at the iWireless Center. Should a sixth game be required, the series would move back to Allen on Tuesday night, April 29. If the series goes the distance, the Americans would host the seventh and deciding game on Wednesday evening, April 30.
Jordan Mayer and Thomas Frazee tonight provided a goal and an assist apiece and Thomas Heemskerk made 26 saves to propel the Mallards to their first playoff series win since 2003.
Mayer gave the Mallards a 1-0 lead with a wrist shot from the right wing boards at 1:33 of the second period. Frazee broke in alone to double the advantage at 7:01 of the second. The Rush trimmed the gap to 2-1 just over two minutes later with Winston Day Chief's net-crashing power play goal.
The Malllards protected the one goal lead deep into the third period before Vladimir Nikiforov one-timed a power play goal from the slot to finish off the Rush with just 1:41 remaining.
The Mallards and Americans split four regular season meetings. The Mallards went 1-1-0 on home ice against the Americans and 1-1-0 in Allen.
Tickets for Mallards home playoff games can be purchased in person at the iWireless Center box office, online at ticketmaster.com, at Ticketmaster outlets 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.
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 seventeenth season their fourth in the Central Hockey League. One of the winningest teams in all of minor league hockey, the Mallards competed in the United Hockey League from 1995 through 2007 and in the International Hockey League in 2009-10. 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
Quad City Mallards vs. Allen Americans - Central Hockey League President's Cup Semi-Finals
Game One: Friday, April 18 @ Allen, 7:05 p.m.
Game Two: Sunday, April 20 @ Allen, 4:05 p.m.
Game Three: Wednesday, April 23 @ Quad City, 7:05 p.m.
Game Four: Friday, April 25 @ Quad City, 7:05 p.m.
Game Five*: Saturday, April 26 @ Quad City, 7:05 p.m.
Game Six*: Tuesday, April 29 @ Allen, 7:05 p.m.
Game Seven*: Wednesday, April 30 @ Allen, 7:05 p.m.
