CINCINNATI, Ohio – Sam Warning scored twice and P.J. Musico made 28 saves as the Quad City Mallards (28-25-6) jumped out to a 3-0 first period lead and held on to defeat the host Cincinnati Cyclones (32-21-6) 3-2 Saturday night.
With the victory, the Mallards earned a split of their two-game weekend series in Cincinnati and took over eighth place and the final playoff spot in the ECHL’s Western Conference.
The Mallards were on the power play when Olivier Archambault rifled in the first goal of the night from the right wing circle just 46 seconds into the game. Warning streaked down the slot to double the lead at 3:06 of the first and struck again with a one timer from the slot at 17:01.
After Tommy Mele cut the Mallard lead to 3-1 by burying Colin Mulvey’s centering pass at 15:01 of the second period, Peter Quenneville cut the gap to a single goal from the left wing circle at 2:10 of the third period but the Cyclones were unable to complete the comeback.
Musico was at his busiest in making 13 third period saves to preserve the win for the Mallards.
The Mallards return to action on the road tomorrow evening against the Evansville IceMen. The Mallards next play at home Sunday, March 20 at 4:05 p.m. against the Indy Fuel. The first 1,000 fans ages 12 and under through the doors for the March 20 game will receive free Mallards youth replica jerseys courtesy of WQAD News 8.
With Quad City Mallards release
Contact the photographer: Jake.Murray@prohockeynews.com
