MOLINE, Ill. – Mike Monfredo scored the third period game winner and added an assist and Raphael Bussieres provided a goal and two assists as the host Quad City Mallards (4-3-3) defeated the Wichita Thunder (4-3-0) 4-2 Friday night.
Monfredo snapped a 2-2 tie from point blank range at 5:29 of the third. Matt Neal finished off the Thunder with a wrist shot from the left wing circle at 12:38.
The Mallards took over in the third after Quad City goaltender Brody Hoffman made 14 second period saves to keep the game deadlocked. Hoffman finished with 21 stops.
Olivier Archambault raced in on goal to start the scoring at 3:31 of the first period. The Thunder evened the score at one with Brandon Martell’s close range goal at 8:02 of the first. Wichita grabbed the lead when Mason Baptista’s shot was deflected past Hoffman at the 13:22 mark. The Mallards rebounded with a tying power play goal from Bussieres, who ripped the puck home from the right wing circle at 15:38.
The Mallards next play at home next Wednesday at 7:05 p.m. against the Alaska Aces. Next Wednesday is also Military Appreciation Night. The Mallards will wear special edition VFW jerseys during next Wednesday night’s game and all current and former military personnel and their families can purchase tickets to that contest for just $5.
With Quad City Mallards team release
Contact the photographer: Rich.Guill@prohockeynews.com (Sean Flynn Photography)
