Jan. 30, 2009

Box Score

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. - In a huge GMHL showdown, Adam Thomas came up big with his second consecutive hat-trick to lift the Panthers to a 5-2 win over Grand Valley State. DU now stands at 29-3 overall and 10-2 in GMHL play.

With the regional rankings heavily relying on this weekend's series, the Panthers fell behind early as the Lakers scored twice as Davenport's scoring chances came up just short.

The flood gates then opened for the Panthers and Adam Thomas got DU on the board late in the first on an assist from Eric Troup and Bobby Collar. DU had a few more chances late in the opening period but hit the cross bar twice and the Laker goalie made some outstanding saves to make the score 2-1 in favor of GVSU.

As fast as the Panthers were skating around, the goals would soon start to fall their way and Bobby Collar poked home a loose puck in front of the net to tie the game midway through the second period. Brit Ouellette was credited with the assist. Neither team could muster up any other goals in the remainder of the period as the game would come down to the final twenty minutes.

Adam Thomas then put the game in his hands on the offensive side as he scored early in the third to give DU its first lead of the game. The third year player from Kentwood, MI scored once more for the hat-trick which is the second time in as many games he has accomplished that.

Rick Gadwa added a late empty-netter for the final outcome and Davenport downed the Lakers for the third time in row this season. The two rivals will meet again on Saturday night in Hudsonville as DU will be looking to sweep the season series and firmly establish themselves as the top team in the Central Rankings.