#jared knight

[qcmallardshockey]

3 April 2016

The Quad City Mallards defeated the Indy Fuel 4-2 tonight to shrink their magic number to three standing points.

The Fuel took an early 1-0 lead after Daniel Ciampini slid the puck into a gaping net just over one minute into the game. Ciampini took the rebound from Nick Petrecki as Brody Hoffman was unable to make the sprawling save. This tally was on Indy’s third shot of the night, and was also assisted by Anders Franzon.

The Mallards appeared to have bus-legs in the early part of the first period, but quickly began dominating play after Indy’s goal.

Olivier Archambault tied the game six minutes later from the high slot, Matt Neal and Kevin Gibson assisting.  Tanner Eberle then had a breakaway chance after the receiving the puck from center ice, but was unable to score on Keegan Asmundson. 

With less than two minutes left, there was a blatant non-call against the Fuel. Petrecki shoved Eberle to the ice, then proceeded to hold him down and kick him. Though this was behind the play, it was still clearly in view of the on-ice officials. The crowd reacted vigorously against the non-call, loudly voicing their displeasure.

Jared Knight scored his first goal of the night to put the Mallards up 2-1 late in the second period, but the lead wouldn’t last for long. Knight’s goal ricocheted from the left goal post to the right goal post as it slid across the line. Zach Pochiro earned the lone assist on Knight’s first tally.

Franzon tied the game at 2-2 while the Fuel were on a powerplay while Austin Coldwell sat in the penalty box. Ben Marshall and Ciampini assisted on the tying goal.

The Mallards were forced to go a man-down for almost four minutes when Vladimir Nikiforov was called for a double-minor high-sticking penalty.

Knight once again put the Mallards on top, Sam Warning and Alex Gudbranson earning the assists. Soon after, tensions began to boil over.

Petricki shoved Eberle a couple times, Eberle refusing to drop the gloves. The referees separated the two players before Mike Monfredo stepped in to exchange words with Petricki. After those two were separated. Archambault and Franzon jousted for a moment. Petrecki, Eberle, Monfredo, and Franzon all earned off-setting roughing penalties.

Matt Carey scored on the empty net with 28 seconds remaining in the game to seal the Mallards’ victory.

The Mallards will travel to Fort Wayne to face the Komets at 6″30 PM CST on Wednesday before returning home on Friday. The Mallards can clinch a playoff spot on Friday if they win in Fort Wayne and earn at least one point against the Cincinnati Cyclones on Friday. If the Mallards either win both games against Cincinnati on Friday and Saturday, or win one and lose one in a shoot-out, the Mallards can take seventh place in the Western Conference.

The three stars of the game were

QC - 11 Knight

QC - 30 Hoffman

IND - 17  Ciampini 

[qcmallardshockey]

20 February 2016

The Quad City Mallards saw a reversal of Friday night’s game last night, losing the contest 5-3 to the Cincinnati Cyclones.

Cincinnati came out more aggressive from the opening puck drop, taking an early 3-1 lead 10 minutes into the game. Cincinnati’s first two goals came from Jack Downing less than two minutes apart, while their third was from Joe Pendenza. Downing’s second goal was scored while Zach Pochiro was serving a two minute boarding penalty.

The Mallards were unable to get a shot on goal until almost nine minutes into the game. Matt Carey scored on the second shot of the night to cut the lead to 2-1. Raphael Bussieres passed the puck to Carey in the high slot, who managed to rifle the puck to find twine. Mike Monfredo also earned a tally for the assist.

Pendenza’s goal came 20 seconds after Carey’s goal, before the first score could be announced.

The second period the Mallards were much better overall, getting 13 shots on net while limiting Cincinnati to only four.

Jared Knight answered back for the Mallards while on a powerplay with help from Pochiro and Alex Gudbranson. Andy Iles had attempted to make the post to post save but overcompensated and landed on his back on the ice, leaving a gaping net on which to score.

After Knight’s goal, the Mallards and their fans seemed to have renewed energy, but a comeback win wasn’t in the books for the team. Zach Budish scored on the powerplay as the net came off its moorings. The referee called it a good goal as the net had not been loosed until after the puck had crossed the line.

Kyle Follmer scored his third goal in two nights to bring the score to 4-3 in favor of Cincinnati. Austin Coldwell and Knight assisted on Follmer’s goal.

With just over a minute remaining in the game the Mallards pulled Brody Hoffman. An eleven man scrum broke out behind the Cincinnati goal with 73 seconds left on the clock after Bussieres boarded a Cyclone. Pochiro threw several punches, earning a roughing call. Seth Ambroz and Pendenza also received two minutes for roughing, squaring the penalties up for offsetting minors.

Tommy Mele scored off the face-off with 22 seconds remaining, ending any chance of a victory for the Mallards.

Hoffman was shaky in the first period, letting in three goals on six shots. He went on to make 21 saves on the night. Iles faced 29 shots. Hoffman had not participated in the morning skate, electing instead to ride the exercise bike. Coach Terry Ruskowski said that that would not occur again.

The three stars of the game were

CIN - 19 Downing

CIN - 24 Budish

QC - 11 Knight

The Mallards will face the Rapid City Rush on Friday, another $1 Beer/Hot Dog Night presented by 97X. Puck drop is at 7:05.

[qcmallardshockey]

22 January 2016

The Quad City Mallards lost 2-1 tonight to the Indy Fuel, the second loss in as many games for the Flock.

The Fuel began their scoring early, the first goal of the night coming at 2:22 after the opening face-off. Daniel Ciampini scored with help from Adam Lapsansky as Ciampini stole the puck at the Mallards blue line before sailing in. Less than a minute later Cody Sharib added to the Fuel’s lead, Ben Marshall assisting. Austin Coldwell turned the puck over in front of the Mallards net for Marshall to snag and send to Sharib.

Jared Knight ruined Mac Carruth’s shut-out bid during the second period when he scored his first goal as a Mallard at 9:34. This was also Knight’s Mallards debut.

The third period was scoreless and uneventful save for two minor penalties.

The three stars of the game were

IND - 14 Sharib

IND - 17 Ciampini

IND - 22 Marshall

Carruth made 29 saves on 30 shots for Brody Hoffman’s 35 saves on 37 shots.

The Mallards and Fuel face off again tomorrow at 6:30 CT.

[qcmallardshockey]

Raphael Bussieres recalled to Iowa Wild

According to the ECHL Transactions for 20 January, Raphael Bussieres has been recalled to the Iowa Wild today. This comes after Jared Knight was assigned to the Quad City Mallards today, as well as Steve Michalek’s return.

[fromthe-point]

The Minnesota Wild have signed:

Tyson Strachan // 1-year, 2-way contract

Jared Knight // 1-year, 2-way contract