A late start to the season, an uncertain roster and many other challenges faced the Quad City Mallards back in October but one move head coach Terry Ruskowski made just prior to the start of the season is paying huge dividends.

Signing forward Mickey Lang!

The 26-year-old is well on his way to eclipsing his numbers from last season and has quietly taken over as leader of the Flock.

Lang leads the team with 26 points (13 goals, 13 assists) and is a solid +7.  He is tops in the league with three shorthanded goals and has scored a pair of game winners.

He has four goals and four assists over his last six games and was a big reason for one of the comebacks of the season last Friday night in Rapid City when he scored two third period goals and added an assist as his team came back from a 2-0 deficit in the final period to beat Rapid City 4-2.

Last season, Lang showed signs of being an outstanding offensive player as he often matched up with league Most Valuable Player Brandon Marino.

He finished with 19 goals and 21 assists for 40 points and was a +18.  So much of his damage was done late though foreshadowing things to come.  He finished the year with goals in each of his last four games and was one of the league’s best players in March with nine goals and 13 assists in 13 March games.

This season, the Mallards are battling for a playoff spot with a 9-12-3 record but they are well within reach and with a solid year from Lang, things could be looking up for the Flock.

At 5-10, 174-pounds, Lang is also a huge fan favorite in the Quad Cities as he somewhat represents the underdog and battling on the ice for all of the fans.