Jan. 22, 2008
Grand Rapids, Mich. - The second game of the two-game series against ACHA DI Liberty University was expected to be as physical as the first. With Davenport University without top defense Bill McSween for the third straight game along with Kenny Jacobs out, the Panthers needed to be solid defensively to complete the sweep. "Last night we gave up too many odd man situations and breakaways stated assistant coach Jamie Bradford. We need to be better defensively if we plan on sweeping the weekend."
The Panthers came out very strong in the first period scoring two powerplay and one shorthanded goals. "Our special teams were very effective against Liberty, said assistant coach Phil Sweeney. They are a key component to our success and it is nice to see all the hard work in practice starting to pay off." Chad Anguilm opened the scoring for the Panthers assisted by Jeff Kraemer and Rick Gadwa. Adam Thomas scored DU's second powerplay goal assited by Bobby Collar and Chad Anguilm. Dayne Gluting scored the game winner on a breakaway goal unnassisted. "We had numerous breakaways this weekend and it was nice to see us finally score one, stated Head Coach Paul Lowden. Gluting's unassisted shorthanded goal was huge. You could see it knocked the wind out of the sails of Liberty University."
Jonah Rogowski scored Davenport's third powerplay goal of the game which gave the Panthers a 4-0 lead heading into the third. Liberty scored a powerplay goal and a shorthanded goal in the third to cut the lead in half, but Davenport finished strong to seal the two-game sweep of the Flames. "We felt we deserved a split at Liberty earlier in the season and we let the second game get away, said Panthers captain Jeremy Bultema. By sweeping them this weekend is looked at as a vindication from our point of view."
The Panthers are back in GMHL action next week with a home and home series with the University of michigan's ACHA DII team. Game time on friday evening is 7:30 PM at the Michigan Dearborn Campus Arena in Dearborn, MI. Saturday's game is a 3:00 PM game at Patterson Ice Center in Grand Rapids, MI.
