Josh Holmstrom scored what proved to be the game winning goal and also picked up an assist and Parker Milner made 28 saves as the host Missouri Mavericks held on to defeat the Quad City Mallards 2-1 Sunday and take a two games to none lead in the best-of-seven Western Conference quarterfinals.

After Reed Seckel gave the Mavericks a 1-0 lead with a wrist shot from the high slot at 10:52 of the first period, Holmstrom doubled the gap in a goalmouth scramble at 9:45 of the second period. That goal loomed even larger after Sam Warning brought the Mallards back within one by snapping the puck home from the slot at 5:56 of the third period. Milner- who was at his busiest in making 11 saves in the third- and the Mavericks protected the one goal lead the rest of the way, even after the Mallards pulled netminder Brody Hoffman for an extra attacker late in the contest.

The Mallards return home for game three Wednesday night at 6:35 p.m. and game four Friday night at 7:05 p.m. If a fifth game is necessary, it will be played on Saturday nigh at 7:05 p.m. at the iWireless Center. Should a sixth game be required, the series will shift back to Missouri on Tuesday, April 26. If the series goes to a seventh game, the Mavericks would host the deciding contest on Wednesday, April 27.

Tickets for Mallards' first round home games are on sale now at the iWireless Center box office, Ticketmaster outlets, ticketmaster.com and Ticketmaster charge-by-phone toll free at 1-800-745-3000The box office is open weekdays from 10:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. and on game days from 10:00 a.m. through the end of the second period. Tickets are available for $10, $16, $20 and $24.  

ECHL Kelly Cup Playoffs, Western Conference Quarterfinals
Quad City Mallards vs. Missouri Mavericks
Game One: Missouri 6 Quad City 3
Game Two: Missouri 2 Quad City 1
Game Three: Wednesday, April 20 @ Quad City, 6:35 p.m.
Game Four: Friday, April 22 @ Quad City, 7:05 p.m.
Game Five: Saturday, April 23 @ Quad City, 7:05 p.m.*
Game Six: Tuesday, April 26 @ Missouri, 7:05 p.m.*
Game Seven: Wednesday, April 27 @ Missouri, 7:05 p.m.*