#ivan kulbakov

[reneserseya]

[qcmallardshockey]

Mallards and Grizzlies Both Continue Streaks

MOLINE, IL – The Quad City Mallards have added another game to their losing streak, bringing the total up to four games after their contest with the Utah Grizzlies on Wednesday. After losing three games in three days last week to the Indy Fuel, the Mallards sought to begin their four games in five days weekend with a win. The Grizzlies, however, had a different idea, seeking to make their win streak six games .

Utah’s first great scoring chance came just under two minutes into the game when Brad Navin went on a breakaway along the half boards. Kyle Follmer had been about to carry the puck across the blue line into the Grizzlies’ zone but lost it to Navin, who was unable to release the shot. Perhaps the best scoring chance for the Mallards early on was a Willie Raskob rebound that went to Brayden Low. Raskob shot from the left, the puck bouncing off the end board and out to Low on the opposite side. Joel Rumpel was dedicated to the left side, but Low couldn’t get his stick down to tap in the skittering puck.

Navin went on to score the game’s opening goal just a few seconds before the midway point of the first period, firing a one-timer in from the inside edge of the right circle. Austin Ortega earned the primary assist after passing the puck from the other side of the circle, Sam Windle with the other apple. Three minutes later the Mallards struck back, Greg Amlong firing in a one-timer of his own. Ryan McGrath was in the left trapezoid behind Rumpel when he got the puck from Brayden Low, sending it up to Amlong at the blue line from the circle.

The Mallards’ celebration lasted only a few short minutes, however, as Ryan Walters scored his first goal of the night. Walters beat Ivan Kulbakov on the glove side, sending the puck to meet twine from the slot after cutting across from the left. Jake Marchment and Brendan Harms assisted on the power play while recently returned from Chicago Gergo Nagy sat in the box for delay of game.  

Roughly three minutes into the sandwich stanza Ortega scored what would prove to be the game-winning goal. He had no help, grabbing the puck off the boards to Kulbakov’s left at the blue line before streaking in. The puck slid in five-hole from the near edge of the left dot after Tristan King failed to back-check. Kyle Novak then scored his first professional goal a minute later with help from McGrath. Novak came into the Grizzlies’ zone to Rumpel’s’ right, cutting across to the left and firing the puck from the edge of the left circle. The puck appeared to deflect off James Melindy’s stick and into the net. The goal was originally credited to McGrath, but a few minutes after the fact it was changed to Novak.

The visitors dominated the second period, much as they had done in the first frame. At one point the Mallards appeared to be on a penalty kill as the Utah players passed back and forth in the Mallards’ zone and out-performed the home team. The most noticeable difference between the two teams was the Mallards’ lack of poke-checking. Throughout the season, the Mallards blue-liners have by and large avoided poke-checking or using their stick in any way to break up a rush. Instead, the Mallards will skate backwards while attempting to block the shot using either their stick or their body. While blocking a shot with the body is good, the definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results. The Mallards skate backwards with no poke-checking, a goal is scored, and the cycle repeats.

Kulbakov was given a roughing penalty that coincided with Nate Mitton’s slashing call late in the second period. The net came loose to Kulbakov’s right, and a scrum broke out after Amlong wrapped an arm around Mitton’s neck.

Utah took back their two goal lead roughly four minutes into the third period when Ryan Misiak went on a breakaway to score. Matt Pohlkamp had forgotten the puck at the blue line as he crossed into the Grizzlies’ defensive zone, and Misiak sprung on the puck. Misiak squeezed the puck in between Kulbakov’s right elbow and body, lighting the lamp. Walters scored his second goal of the night with 61 seconds remaining while Melindy sat in the box for high-sticking. Kulbakov had gone to the bench to give the Mallards the extra attacker, meaning that Walter’s second goal was not only an empty net goal but a short-handed tally.

The Mallards and Grizzlies will face off again on Friday at the TaxSlayer Center at 7:05 CST. It is another $2 Hot Dog and $2 Beer Night presented by 97X, as well as a MetroLINK College Night, where Augustana College students can ride the metro bus to the game for free simply by showing their student ID.

[leagueofbane]

And don’t forget Pekka Rinne’s Immortan Joe mask from Mad Max Fury Road:

I don’t know anything about hockey, but great.

[yourdeltronpaulley]

You're just not going to bump into each other that much,

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A minor kerfuffle over paperwork that hasn't been passed on before a lanky guard comes through a side door to take us through the next layers. The students didn't have a hard time spotting me. "The community has really got on board with this year campaign but we still have a number of adult cats that we would love to see be rehomed too," she said.

[fromthe-point]

ECHL Transactions - Apr. 07

Adirondack Thunder: Shane Conacher, F || activated from reserve Nikolas Olsson, F || released from contract Kelly Summers, D || returned from loan to Belleville (AHL) Mike Szmatula, F || placed on reserve

Atlanta Gladiators: Brady Fleurent, F || placed on reserve Avery Peterson, F || activated from reserve [4.06] Adam Smith, D || signed contract, added to active roster

Brampton Beast: Matt Campagna, F || activated from reserve Bo Pieper, F || activated from reserve Nathan Todd, F || placed on reserve David Vallorani, F || placed on reserve

Fort Wayne Komets: Sean Flanagan, D || placed on reserve Zach Fucale, G || placed on reserve Kevin Gibson, D || activated from reserve Jamie Schaafsma, F || activated from reserve

Idaho Steelheads: Tony Calderone, F || placed on reserve James Phelan, F || activated from reserve Eric Sweetman, D || returned from loan to Grand Rapids (AHL)

Kalamazoo Wings: Ivan Kulbakov, G || recalled by Utica (AHL) [4.06] Eric Messer, G || added as EBUG [4.06]

Maine Mariners: Richie Boyd, D || signed contract, added to active roster Johnny Coughlin, D || placed on injured reserve (effective 4.07) Ryan Ferrill, F || activated from reserve Dillan Fox, F || placed on reserve Zeb Knutson, F || placed on reserve Wade Murphy, F || activated from reserve

Newfoundland Growlers: Matt Bradley, F || placed on reserve Cory Dunn, D || placed on reserve Josh Kestner, F || activated from reserve Marcus Power, F || activated from reserve

Orlando Solar Bears: Olivier Archambault, F || activated from reserve Parker AuCoin, F || released from contract Troy Bourke, F || activated from reserve Michael Brodzinski, D || assigned from San Jose (AHL) by San Jose (NHL) Cody Donaghey, D || assigned from San Jose (AHL) by San Jose (NHL) Jared Freadrich, D || released from contract Jackson Playfiar, F || placed on reserve Mike Robinson, F || released from contract

Toledo Walleye: Paolo Battisti, G || added as EBUG Shane Berschbach, F || placed on reserve Chris Crane, F || activated from reserve A.J. Jenks, F || activated from injured reserve Justin Kea, F || activated from reserve Jeff Lerg, G || released from contract Connor Schmidt, D || released from contract Greg Wolfe, F || placed on reserve

Tulsa Oilers: Alex Dostie, F || assigned from San Diego (AHL) by Anaheim (NHL) [4.06] Ian Keserich, G || placed on injured reserve (effective 4.03) [4.06] Scott Moldenhauer, D || assigned by San Diego (AHL) [4.06] Jared Thomas, F || placed on reserve Bobby Watson, F || placed on reserve [4.06]; activated from reserve

Utah Grizzlies: Josh Henke, F || released from contract R.T. Rice, F || activated from injured reserve; released from contract

Wheeling Nailers: Jack MacNee, D || released from ATO Jordan Neamonitis, G || added as EBUG Jordan Ruby, G || suspended by team, removed from active roster Aaron Titcomb, D || activated from reserve

Worcester Railers: Bo Brauer, F || placed on reserve Matt Gaudreau, F || activated from reserve Ryan Hubbard, G || added as EBUG

[goalhofer]

2018-19 Utica Comets Roster

Wingers

#9 Lukas Jasek (Trinec, Czech Republic)

#13 Kole Lind (Shaunavon, Saskatchewan)

#16 Brendan Gaunce (Markham, Ontario)

#18 Vincent Arseneau (Les Iles-De-La-Madeleine, Quebec)

#19 Tanner MacMaster (Calgary, Alberta)

#21 Brendan Woods (Palmyra, Pennsylvania)

#24 Reid Boucher (Grand Ledge, Michigan) A

#25 Darren Archibald (Newmarket, Ontario)

#34 Carter Bancks (Kimberley, British Columbia) C

#36 Wacey Hamilton (Cochrane, Alberta)

#52 Petrus Palmu (Joensuu, Finland)

#54 Jonathan Dahlen (Ostersund, Sweden)

#58 Michael Carcone (Ajax, Ontario)

Centers

#10 Tanner Kero (Southfield, Michigan)

#11 Cameron Darcy (Boston, Massachusetts)

#15 Zack McEwen (Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island)

#22 Jonah Gadjovich (Whitby, Ontario)

Defensemen

#2 Evan McEneny (Hamilton, Ontario)

#5 Jalen Chatfield (Ypsilanti, Michigan)

#6 Ashton Sautner (Wolseley, Saskatchewan)

#8 Dylan Blujus (Buffalo, New York)

#26 Jamie Sifers (Stratford, Connecticut)

#48 Olli Juolevi (Helsinki, Finland)

#55 Guillaume Brisebois (Longueuil, Quebec)

#64 Jesse Graham (Oshawa, Ontario)

Goalies

#31 Ivan Kulbakov (Gomel, Belarus)

#32 Richard Bachman (Highlands Ranch, Colorado)

[mitchbeck]

KEELEY: LACOUVEE RETURNS FROM AHL UTICA

Rookie netminder returns from loan BY: Michael Keeley, Maine Mariners  PORTLAND, ME – November 21, 2018 – The AHL’s Utica Comets have returned goaltender Connor LaCouvee to the Mariners. LaCouvee was playing in Utica on a loan, and made one start, appearing in three games for the Comets. He re-joins Brandon Halverson on the Mariners goaltending unit after Chris Nell was reassigned to the Greenville Swamp Rabbits. The 24-year-old from Qualicum Beach, BC, made his professional debut in relief on October 20th at Worcester. The next day, he picked up the first win in Mariners franchise history as he made his first pro start. He defeated the Newfoundland Growlers with 32 saves on 34 shots in a 4-2 win. LaCouvee then stopped 36 of 39 as the Mariners defeated Manchester on November 24th. Five days later, he was loaned to Utica. With the Comets, LaCouvee served as the backup to Ivan Kulbakov. He made his AHL debut on November 10th, when he stopped 21 of 23 in relief against Binghamton. On November 16th, he once again appeared in relief against Syracuse and stopped all eight shots he faced. He made his first AHL start on November 17th and allowed five goals on 28 shots in a loss to Hartford. Overall, LaCouvee posted a 2.87 GAA and a .877 SV% with the Comets. The Mariners are home this Saturday, November 24th to host the Manchester Monarchs at 6:00 PM. It’s Teddy Bear Toss Night and the first 2,000 fans through the gate will receive a Mariners' winter beanie. Tickets can be purchased at MarinersOfMaine.com or by calling 207-775-3458. Read the full article

[qcmallardshockey]

Saturday the 14th a Day of Better Luck For Mallards

MOLINE, IL – The Quad City Mallards took on the Tulsa Oilers on Saturday for a battle of the special teams. Both teams managed a short-handed tally, while one also added a power play goal. Ivan Kulbakov made his Mallards debut, facing 31 shots while Jake Hildebrand faced 26.

Once again the Mallards fell behind early, Conner Bleackley scoring unassisted while the Mallards had the man advantage. Bleackley was engaged in a board battle with Ales Sova and then streaked up the half-boards with the puck to send it in top-shelf.  During that goal Christophe Lalancette was in the sin bin for slashing. That penalty came at the most opportune time for the Mallards, as a goal was almost scored after Kulbakov came out of his crease to play the puck and a Tulsa player flew in. Kulbakov left a gaping net but the whistle blew the play dead for Lalancette’s penalty.

Five minutes after Tulsa’s opening goal Justin Kovacs had a great breakaway, streaking down the middle of the ice towards Hildebrand, but was unable to score. Two minutes later Keegan Kolesar scored his first career goal with help from Greg Amlong and Alexander Kuqali. Kuqali passed the puck along the blue-line from the half-boards to Amlong on the opposite side. Amlong then sent a slapper towards the net, which was redirected by Kolesar. With just under five minutes left in the period the Mallards scored a goal that was immediately waved off for goalie interference as Sam Warning was in the crease. Forty seconds later Hildebrand made a highlight reel save on Josh MacDonald, diving coast to coast to close the gaping net.

The Mallards still looked a bit rusty in the early parts of the first period, but as play progressed they began to look more like a well-oiled machine; the last two minutes especially the team clicked well together.

Another early goal put the Oilers up 2-1 just over two minutes into the second period. Dylan Hubbs got on the score sheet when he sent the puck in from the blue-line on Kulbakov’s left past the goalie’s right elbow. That tally was assisted by Lalancette and Dmitrii Sergeev. The Mallards answered back with a short-handed goal of their own a few minutes later when Brayden Low chipped the puck out of the Mallards’ defensive zone to Warning. Warning skated along the half-boards and sent the puck flying from the left dot in the Oilers’ zone; Tristan King had been tagged for slashing 36 seconds prior. The Mallards earned their first lead of the night two mites later off a Kovacs goal assisted by Kolesar. Hildebrand left his crease to play the puck behind the net, and while he was repositioning himself in the crease again Kolesar batted the puck from Gretzky’s office to Kovacs as the latter streaked towards the net. The lead didn’t last long, however.

Tulsa scored a power-play goal at 17:12 as MacDonald sat in the box for cross-checking. Adam Pleskach redirected the puck on the right side, Evan Richardson making the original shot after receiving the pass from Tommy Vannelli. The Mallards and their fans believed that Jamie Tardif had scored at four minutes and 11 seconds of the third period, but an early whistle had blown the play dead. A Mallard shot the puck at Hildebrand’s chest before the referee lost sight of the puck for a second as it bounced off the goalie. Tardif fired the puck into a wide open net as the whistle sounded, the lights flashing off as the goal light lit red. The officials had no conference on the call, drawing ire from many. The game remained tied until just over halfway through the final frame when Alexandre Ranger took a wild shot that managed to find its way past Kulbakov. Chris Joyaux and Bleackley were credited with the apples on that goal.

The Mallards felt a renewed sense of drive after giving up the 4-3 lead, Matt Pohlkamp tying the game two minutes later. Pohlkamp sent in a backhanded shot as he skated across the mouth of the crease from Hildebrand’s left to the right, Low and Kolesar returning to the score sheet with the assists. Twenty-three seconds later MacDonald scored the game-winning goal with help from King. MacDonald was in the low slot when he took the pass from King, King being at the left dot’s farthest and top-most edge when he passed.

Kyle Follmer had the honor of the Mallards’ first five-minute major of the season, dropping the gloves with Pleskach 30 seconds after the winning goal was scored. Pleskach leveled Alex Globke in the Mallards’ defensive zone just past the left dot; Follmer took exception to the hit as you do, and after the whistle for Pleskach’s clipping penalty began jawing at the Oiler. After shaking his gloves a few times, the two engaged in fisticuffs. While it appeared that Pleskach might have landed more blows, it was Follmer who landed on top when the fight was over.

Pohlkamp ended the game in the penalty box after sending the puck over the glass in his own zone. The Oilers’ net was empty during this time, bringing their advantage to 6-on-4 for the last 42 seconds of the game.

The Mallards will finish their three game home stand on Wednesday against the Oilers. As it is a Wednesday game, the puck will drop at 6:35 CST; after Wednesday's game the Mallards will travel to the Toledo Walleye for a 6:15 CST game on Saturday.

[qcmallardshockey]

The Mallards have made a series of roster moves (1/2): 

TRADE: Acquire Quentin Shore, future considerations, financial considerations from Florida for ECHL rights to Sam Warning 

 TRADE: Acquire Nick Bligh, future considerations from Wichita for Brayden Low

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MALLARDS MOVES 2/2:

TRADE: Send Kyle Bigos to Jacksonville for financial considerations 

 SIGNING: Huba Sekesi signs amateur tryout agreement

RECALL: Ivan Kulbakov recalled by Cleveland (AHL)

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[qcmallardshockey]

Mallards today announced a series of transactions:

• The Mallards have acquired forward Quentin Shore from the Florida Everblades along with future considerations and financial considerations in exchange for the ECHL rights to forward Sam Warning

• The Mallards have acquired forward Nick Bligh and future considerations from the Wichita Thunder in exchange for forward Brayden Low

• Defenseman Kyle Bigos has been traded to the Jacksonville Icemen in exchange for financial considerations

• Forward Huba Sekesi has signed an amateur tryout agreement with the Mallards

• Goaltender Ivan Kulbakov has been recalled from the Mallards by the American Hockey League’s Cleveland Monsters

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[qcmallardshockey]

Mallards Blow Lead -- Again

MOLINE, IL – It was a tale of Jekyll and Hyde for the Quad City Mallards on Sunday when they took on the Fort Wayne Komets. The team that left the ice for the first intermission was far different than the one that returned for the start of the second period. Three unanswered goals in the third period spelled doom for the Mallards in what would be a 4-3 loss for the Illinois-based team.

The Mallards took an early two goal lead just under three and half minutes into the first period, Gergo Nagy being credited with the first goal. The puck bounced off of Ryan Lowney’s shin pad, bouncing uncontrollably towards the net. Neither Lowney nor Jason Binkley was able to corral the puck before it slid past Garrett Bartus. A minute later Matt Pohlkamp added to the Mallards’ lead with help from Jake Bolton and Triston Grant. Pohlkamp shot from the right circle, deflecting the puck ever so slightly up off Bartus’ left pad to send the puck careening into the net.

Halfway through the game Grant began his night-long parade to the penalty box, earning a double minor for roughing after a face off at center ice. Grant had just returned from a five game suspension for incidents during the Mallards’ game in Indy on February 22. Bobby Shea was Grant’s combatant, each only getting a shot in before the officials separated them. Shea then scored the first goal for the Komets with just under two minutes remaining in the first period, going top shelf from the left circle. Ivan Kulbakov was diving to make the save but was unable to stop the shot.

The Mallards had looked good up until that point. They appeared to be the dominant team in the first period, out-shooting the Komets 13-7 and out-scoring them 2-1. Things quickly changed for the home team in the second period, however. While no goals were added in the sandwich stanza, the Komets out-skated and out-passed the Mallards.

Jamie Tardif scored the third goal for the Mallards ten and a half minutes into the second period, deflecting Ryan McGrath’s shot from the blue line while just past the mouth of the crease. Five minutes later it appeared that the Komets had brought themselves within one goal when Dennis Kravchenko went on a breakaway, but the goal was disallowed due to goaltender interference. Komets head coach Gary Graham was not happy with the call, earning himself a two minute penalty for unsportsmanlike conduct. The Komets, and Kravchenko, really would end up being within a goal five minutes into the final frame, however.

Kravchenko buried the puck behind Kulbakov with a one-timer that traveled too fast from left to right for Kulbakov to track. Two minutes later Gabriel Desjardins made his way onto the scoresheet with the tying goal, the perfect set up between him and Shea giving the goal. Shea was at the left corner when he passed it up to Desjardins at just past the blue paint smack dab in the center. The game-winning goal trickled five-hole on Kulbakov after a break away by Garret Thompson, who had slid face-first into an upright late in the second period after Pohlkamp tripped him.

Off the ensuing faceoff, Grant earned his final penalty of the night by knocking out Justin MacDonald. Grant continued attempting to punch MacDonald after the two were already on the ice with the officials ontop of them in hopes of breaking it up. MacDonald was taken to the locker room after the encounter, Grant being removed from the game with a match penalty for fighting.

The Mallards will travel to Wichita for a Wednesday game this week before heading to Toledo for a pair of weekend games against the Walleye. Puck drop is set for 6 CST on Wednesday and 6:15 CST on Friday and Saturday. The Mallards will return home for a Wednesday game of their own on March 14, when they will take on the Walleye.

Don’t forget to follow @SinbinMallards on twitter for all the latest news about the team both during the season and the off-season.  

[qcmallardshockey]

Mallards goaltender C.J. Motte has signed a professional tryout agreement with the American Hockey League’s Stockton Heat and goaltender Ivan Kulbakov has been loaned to the Mallards by the AHL’s Cleveland Monsters.

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[qcmallardshockey]

TRANSACTIONS: G C.J. Motte has signed a professional tryout agreement with Stockton (AHL); G Ivan Kulbakov has been loaned to the Mallards by Cleveland (AHL).

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[qcmallardshockey]

TRANSACTION: G Ivan Kulbakov has been recalled by the American Hockey League's Cleveland Monsters.

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[qcmallardshockey]

Goaltender Ivan Kulbakov has been recalled from the Mallards by the American Hockey League’s Cleveland Monsters. Kulbakov, a 21-year old rookie, joins Cleveland for a third time this season.

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[qcmallardshockey]

Komets Serve Roast Duck

MOLINE, IL – With the 2018 Winter Olympics having begun already, many people are reminiscing about their favorite past Olympics. Perhaps the most celebrated of the past Olympics in American hockey circles is the “Miracle on Ice”, and with that reminiscing comes remembering of quotes by the famed Herb Brooks. One quote stands out after the Quad City Mallards’ game against the visiting Fort Wayne Komets on Saturday: “The legs feed the wolf, gentlemen.” The legs did indeed feed the wolves, as the Mallards looked akin to Team USA in the exhibition game in Norway on September 17, 1979 – where the US Olympians held out for a 3-3 tie against the Norwegian National Team but were then Herbie’d. The Komets just plain out-skated the Mallards throughout the entire night, as well as out-checked, out-passed, and out-scored. The Komets waged a war of attrition on the Mallards, speeding up and down and side to side on the ice as they completed crisp passes and wore the home team down.

Both teams were held scoreless after 20 minutes thanks to Michael Houser and Ivan Kulbakov. Four penalties were handed out in the first 20 minutes, only one of them not being for slashing. The penalties were evenly distributed, and the teams began the second period with 25 seconds of four-on-four before the Mallards went on a 25 second power play. The Mallards were ineffective with the man advantage, and only a minute after the teams returned to even strength the red light was lit.

Kulbakov has played an aggressive game for the Mallards, and though going out of the crease to play the puck can be a useful play, sometimes it comes back to haunt the goaltender. Shortly after the Komets came off the penalty kill, Kulbakov went out of his crease to play the puck in front of the left trapezoid. While out of his crease, Justin Hodgman grabbed the puck instead. Hodgeman passed it over to Trevor Cheek, and Cheek tapped it into the empty net as Kulbakov made an attempt at a diving save. Fifty-five seconds later the Komets doubled up their lead thanks to Mason Baptista, who sent the puck in over Kulbakov’s blocker. Garrett Thompson and Jamie Schaafsma earned the assist on that tally.

It was not until almost the 16-minute mark of the second frame that the Mallards ended Houser’s shut out. Three seconds after Ryan Culkin entered the sin bin for roughing, Jake Bolton sent a wrister in from the blue line nearer the penalty boxes after Ryan McGrath had won the faceoff on the same side. The Mallards’ attempt at a comeback would be short-lived, however, as Bobby Shea scored off a shin pad. Shea sent in the shot from the blue line, and as the puck traveled in the air it bounced off a defending Mallard’s right shin pad. This deflection caused a slight redirection of the puck, giving it a higher trajectory as it sailed towards Kulbakov. The puck then hit the cross bar, bounced off of Kulbakov’s back, and into the net. Logan Nelson and Dennis Kravchenko picked up the apples on what would prove to be the game-winning goal.

Nelson decided he didn’t like Greg Amlong being behind Houser in Gretzky’s office, tripping him as play continued towards the Mallards’ zone. Amlong then gave Nelson a taste of his glove, and Nelson dropped his own. Before any more punches could be thrown, Jamie Tardif skated up behind Nelson and tackled him to put him in a head lock. All three earned roughing calls, putting Fort Wayne on the power play.

The Komets were held off the board again until just over 11 minutes of the final frame, when Baptista scored again off a deflection. Baptista was just a little before the goal line to Kulbakov’s right when he shot the puck, the puck hitting the post as Kulbakov slid to make the save. The bounce went to Kulbakov’s shoulder, which then led it into the net to light the lamp. Ryan Lowney and Thompson made their ways onto the scoresheet with the assists, and less than thirty seconds later their teammates joined them on the scoresheet. Kravchenko went on a breakaway, out-skating the defense to leave him all alone against Kulbakov. Marco Roy earned the assist on the final tally of the night.

After the game, the Mallards’ specialty Pink in the Rink sweaters were auctioned off. Over $16,000 were raised through the auction, the proceeds going to the Genesis Health Services Foundation.

The Mallards and Komets will face off again on Sunday, this time in Fort Wayne, IN. Puck drop is scheduled for 5 EST, with a post-game skate to follow. The Mallards will then visit the Kalamazoo Wings on Wednesday before returning home on Friday February 16th to see the Wings.