Quad City Mallards devour Brampton

Jason Pitton fighting for position with Nick Grasso in front of goalie Evan Mosher during Sunday's Brampton loss.

Jason Pitton fighting for position with Nick Grasso in front of goalie Evan Mosher during Sunday’s Brampton loss.

BRAMPTON — Todd Fiddler had a goal and two assists as the Quad City Mallards defeated the Brampton Beast 6-3 in East Coast Hockey League action, Sunday afternoon at the Powerade Centre.

The Mallards learned from their previous effort that shots don’t win games, goals do.

After their 6-2 loss on Friday night where they peppered 43 shots, they were an economical four goals in 10 shots during Sunday’s second period and put the game away.

The win evened the three game mini-series with the final tilt happening on Monday morning. The unusual 11 a.m. start time is for a promo with surrounding schools and will be the Beast’s first sell-out.

The Beast (16-32-2-0) came out in the first period with the same energy as they did last game and similarly netted a pair of goals. The Mallards (26-19-4-2) however, were able to respond each time keeping it level.

Stephane Thorne opened the scoring for the Beast at 3:46 of the first period, assisted by Johnny Rogic and Darren McMillan.

Brampton thought it had taken a 2-0 lead when Calin Wild’s shot when bar-down of the crossbar. Chad Painchaud standing on the side of the net lifted his arms in celebration.

With that momentary pause, the Mallards were able to rush up the ice and Todd Fiddler tucked it under Grant Rollheiser’s glove for his 12th, tying the game.

The Beast argued their earlier attempt but after discussing it with the goal judge, the referee asserted that Wild’s shot did not cross the goal-line, so play was allowed to continue and the Mallard goal stood.

The Beast did not let the series of events get to them and regained the lead just 41 seconds later when Jason Pitton scored his 18th. The Beast kept the momentum going having a few more chances but could not beat Even Mosher.

Pearce Eviston then scored the equalizer, his 9th of the season at 17:36 to close out the period.

The second period told a different story as the Mallards, using crisp short passes, were able to break through the Beasts fore checking and dominate the entire frame.

The Mallards had singles by Nicholas Rioux his 3rd, Justin Fox his 18th and Kevin Baker his 10th all by 9:19 of the second. Needing a change for his team, coach Brent Hughes switched goalies and Trevor Cann came in.

The Beast were still not able to maintain any prolonged pressure in the offensive zone leading to the Mallards fourth goal of the period when Anthony Collins scored his third.

Beast applied pressure as they started the first and were able to draw a penalty.

Chad Painchaud scored his 19th on that power play at 2:01. Justin Donati was able to find an open Painchaud who fired a one-timer from the face off circle.

Cal Wild also assisted on the play and gave the crowd another opportunity to cheer as the first 1,000 fans received a Cal Wild replica jersey entering the game.

The Beast will try to even the season series tomorrow as the host the Mallards in the last of a five game home stand before returning home on March 6 against the Wichita Thunder.

NOTES: The Beast’s shooting percentage in the last two periods of last game was 67 per cent going 2-for-4 and 2-for-2 respectively … Beast wore their alternate Canadian jerseys for the second time as they are the only Canadian team in the ECHL, but are winless when wearing them.

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By: Dario Passarelli
Posted: Feb 22 2015 7:46 pm
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Filed under: Hockey Local Sports Sports
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