Ian Lowe delivered the winning goal in the shootout after picking up two assists in regulation as the Wichita Thunder (2-0-0) scored a dramatic 5-4 shootout victory Saturday night over the Quad City Mallards (1-0-1), who came from behind three times on the way to earning one point.

Lowe roofed the puck to snap a 1-1 tie in the shootout after Joey Sides had first given the Thunder a shootout lead and Raphael Bussieres had replied for the Mallards.

The Mallards forced a wild overtime period that saw each team go on the power play but did not produce a goal when Matt Neal- who also had an assist- tied the game at four from the slot with just 1:46 left in regulation.  Neal's late goal wiped out a lead given to the Thunder by Andrew Huff from point blank range at 2:49 of the third period.

By that time the Mallards had already used a pair of rapid fire Logan Nelson goals to erase a two-goal second period deficit.  After close range goals from Todd Hosmer (who would also notch an assist) just 42 seconds into the second and Michael Neal- on the power play- at the 3:21 mark had built a 3-1 Thunder advantage, Nelson responded by striking twice in a minute and 31 seconds.  Nelson trimmed the gap to one from the right wing circle at 11:14 and evened the score on a breakaway at 12:45.

Brandon Martell kick-started a roller coaster evening by pouncing on a rebound to give the Thunder its first lead at 4:08 of the first period. Vladimir Nikiforov produced the first of the three Mallard equalizers with just a minute and forty-three seconds left in the first by tucking a backhander past Wichita goaltender Grant Rollheiser from close range.

The Mallards return to the Quad Cities to play their home opener on Friday, October 23 at 7:05 p.m. against the Tulsa Oilers.  The home opener will also bring a postgame fireworks show outside the iWireless Center and return of $1 Dog/$1 Beer Friday presented by 97X.  In addition, Every Friday game will also be a MetroLINK College Night this season.  The Mallards have once again partnered with Metro to provide transit service between Augustana College and downtown Moline during all Friday home games.  As part of Metro’s unlimited ride program, Augustana riders can use their Augustana ID as their fare.

Single game tickets for all Mallards regular season home games- including the home opener- are on sale now at the iWireless Center box office, Ticketmaster outlets, ticketmaster.com and Ticketmaster charge-by-phone toll free at 1-800-745-3000.  The box office is open weekdays from 10:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. and Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.  Tickets are available for $10, $16, $20 and $28.

Mallards 2015-16 season tickets are also still available.  Season ticket holders enjoy significant savings off the walk-up ticket price and receive a host of exclusive benefits.  For more season ticket information, fans can contact the Mallards at 309-277-1364 or info@myqcmallards.com.