Dec. 7, 2007

Grand Rapids, Mich. - On Friday December 7, Davenport University Panthers hosted the ACHA DII Buckeyes of Ohio State in a very important GMHL Conference match-up. With Ohio State winning three of their last four games, the Panthers needed to be ready for a tough game.

The game started out very slow for the Panthers. "We have not played well on a Friday night in a month and I was very disappointed in our first period effort tonight," stated head coach Paul Lowden. The Panthers opened the scoring at the 15:21 mark of the first period with a goal from Kevin Moodie, assisted by Chris Green and Will Collar. The line of Moodie, Green and Collar has been very effective the last few weeks. They have provided the Panthers with the physical presence needed with relentless forchecking and great defense. Their hard work has paid off offensively and the period ended Davenport - 1 Ohio State - 0.

In the second period, the Panthers picked up the intensity while out-shooting the Buckeyes 13-5, but Ohio State scored first at the 8:39 mark to tie the game at 1-1 with a goal from Zack Ajenman. The Panthers continued to elevate their play and were awarded for their efforts with a goal with just three seconds remaining in the period from their captain Jeremy Bultema, assisted by Rick Gadwa and Bobby Collar, to take a 2-1 lead into the second intermission.

The third period was the Panthers best period of the game. Davenport scored the next two goals to take a 4-1 lead. Rick Gadwa's goal at the 3:51 mark, assisted by Eric Troup and Dayne Gluting's goal at the 8:57 mark assisted by Bobby Collar put the home team in charge. Ohio State got a late goal to keep it close, but the game ended in Davenport's favor 4-2.