Sept. 19, 2008

Ypsilanti, Mich. - The title defense has officially begun as the Davenport Hockey team posted a 4-3 overtime win over Eastern Michigan on Friday night. DU opens the home season on Saturday night against EMU at 7:15 PM.

The Panthers, which enter the season as the defending ACHA DII Champions, hit the road for their first game of the 2008-2009 campaign and came away with a thrilling 4-3 overtime victory over Eastern Michigan.

DU got on the board for their first goal of the season when Eric Troup found the back of the net off a pass from Kevin Moodie. As the game went on, DU kept up the offensive pressure and scored again on a Kevin Doyle goal from Tom Dowell and Bobby Collar. DU would add a third goal on a beautiful play from Rick Gadwa as he got through the defense and put one by the Eastern goaltender for an un-assisted goal.

Finally in overtime, the Panthers knew they needed to remain aggressive and Bobby Collar got deep into the Eastern zone to put away a shot to give DU the victory.

Davenport outshot Eastern 52-25 for the game and the defense made huge plays down the stretch to keep it tied going into overtime. The Panthers will host their first game of the season on Saturday night at 7:15 PM when they welcome Eastern to Patterson Ice Center.