Matt Neal's second goal of the game broke a 1-1 tie with 2:10 left in the third period as the host Quad City Mallards defeated the Rapid City Rush 2-1 Friday night to even the best-of-seven ECHL Central Division Semi-Finals at two wins apiece.

The Mallards were on the power play when Neal tipped home the game winner from close range off a give-and-go with Kevin Baker.

Neal had evened the score at one on a another give-and-go at 2:43 of the second period.  Neal converted a feed from Pearce Eviston from the low slot for the first Mallard goal.

The Mallards battled from behind after Jesse Schultz scored a point-blank power play goal on the first Rapid City shot of the game just a minute and 47 seconds into the opening period.

Evan Mosher set the stage for the Mallard rally by stopping the final 20 Rush shots.

The Mallards host game five tomorrow night at 7:05 p.m. at the iWireless Center.  The series will shift back to Rapid City for game six next Tuesday, April 28.  If the series goes to a seventh game, the Rush would host the deciding contest next Wednesday, April 29.
 
Tickets for Mallards first round home games are on sale 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.