MOLINE, Ill. – Mathew Maione scored once and added two assists and Jason Pitton and Tyson Fawcett provided a goal and an assist apiece as the Brampton Beast (8-13-1) built a 4-0 lead and survived the host Quad City Mallards’ (11-9-5) third period comeback bid on the way to a 5-3 win Saturday night.
The Beast took control of the game with three second period goals. Mike MacIsacc doubled what had been a 1-0 Brampton lead by finishing off a 2-on-1 rush at 8:20 of the second. The Beast was on the power play when Fawcett buried Andy Bathgate’s cross-ice pass from the left wing circle at 12:15. Rob Ricci’s rebound goal widened the margin to 4-0 with just 1:45 left in the middle frame.
The Mallards cut the gap 4-3 by scoring three times in the third period, but Maione’s empty net goal in the final minute would finish off the Flock. After the Mallards got on the scoreboard for the first time when Darren McMillan converted Kevin Baker’s centering pass at 5:06 of the third, back-to-back goals from Logan Nelson made it a one-goal game. Nelson wristed the Mallards’ second home from the left wing circle at 9:49 and scored from the slot to bring Quad City within one at the 14:02 mark, but the Mallards were unable to produce a late equalizer.
The Beast never relinquished the lead after Pitton finished off a give-and-go with Painchaud from close range to open the scoring at 16:50 of the first period.
The Mallards and Beast meet again at the iWireless Center tomorrow at 4:05 p.m. Sunday is Kids’ Day: tickets for all Mallards Sunday home games are just $5 for children 12 and under. After the game fans can join the Mallards on the ice for a postgame skate. An extra special guest will also be on hand for the postgame skate: Santa Claus.
With Quad City Mallards team release
Photos courtesy of Rich Guill (Sean Flynn Photography)
