MOLINE, Ill. – Rookie Evan Mosher made 31 saves on the way to his first career postseason shutout and Kevin Baker scored twice and added an assist as the host Quad City Mallards defeated the Rapid City Rush 4-0 Saturday night to take a three games to two lead in the best-of-seven ECHL Central Division Semi-Finals and move within one win of advancing to the second round of the Kelly Cup playoffs.
The Mallards first grabbed the lead when Baker buried Matt Neal’s centering pass at 6:09 of the first period.
Baker jammed in a power play goal from the doorstep to stretch the gap to 2-0 at 2:59 of the second period.
Mario Lamoureux extended the Mallard lead to 3-0 by converting Baker’s cross-crease pass at 14:22 of the second.
Michael Clarke cappped off the victory by banking the puck into the Rapid City net off Rush defenseman Daniel Tetreault at 16:08 of the third period.
Mosher stopped 22 shots over just the first two periods while his teammates built a commanding lead at other end.
The series shifts back to Rapid City for game six next Tuesday, April 28. If the series goes to a seventh game, the Rush would host the deciding contest next Wednesday, April 29.
With Quad City Mallards team release
Photos courtesy of Rich Guill (Sean Flynn Photography)
