Photo: Sean Flynn Photography/Quad City Mallards

The Quad City Mallards hit the ice for three home playoff games in four nights beginning with a special early 6:05 p.m. start time tomorrow evening and featuring the return of $1 Dog/$1 Beer Friday presented by 97X and MetroLINK and a potentially vital postseason clash on Saturday night.
 
The Mallards tomorrow night at 6:05 p.m. play an ECHL Kelly Cup playoff game on home ice for the first time.  The Mallards will meet the Rapid City Rush in game three of the best-of-seven opening round of the Central Division Semi-Finals having split the first two games of the series last weekend in Rapid City.  

Friday night’s game four and Saturday evening’s game five will both face off at 7:05 p.m.  Friday also brings the return of the Mallards’ popular $1 Dog/$1 Dollar Beer Night presented by 97X.  Fans can enjoy $1 hot dogs and beers from iWireless Center concession stands while watching the Mallards and Rush battle on the ice.  Also Friday night, select seats will be available to college students with a valid student I.D. for just $13.
 
The Mallards have once again partnered with Metro to provide transit service between Augustana College and downtown Moline during all Friday home games.  Students can catch the Route 10 on campus via 7th Avenue to and from the games, with the Route 10 dropping students off near campus or at the District after games.  Students can then hop on the Route 53 from the District back to Augustana until 3 a.m.  As part of Metro’s unlimited ride program, Augustana riders can use their Augustana ID as their fare.  Fans can visit www.gogreenmetro.com or www.facebook.com/53and59 for more information.  

What is both a busy and crucial week of playoff hockey in the Quad Cities will climax when the Mallards and Rush meet again in game five Saturday evening.  The Mallards, who overcame the Rush in seven games in the opening round of the playoffs last spring, are now gunning for a second postseason win over Rapid City in as many years.
 
Tickets for this week’s home games are on sale now at the iWireless Center box office, Ticketmaster outlets, ticketmaster.com and Ticketmaster charge-by-phone toll free at 1-800-745-3000.  The 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 game days from 10:00 a.m. until the start of the second period.