Feb. 6, 2009
Box Score
GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. - The Davenport University D-II Ice Hockey extended it current win streak to six after beating Central Michigan 7-4 at Patterson Ice Center. Three Panthers scored two goals each as the DU offense shined in the second period to outlast CMU and set up a possible weekend sweep.
The first period would offer few scoring chances as both teams struggled to find a rhythm, but after falling behind 1-0 mid way through the period, the Panthers would take advantage of a Central Michigan penalty to even the score off the stick of Jeff Slusser at the 15:57 mark. Both teams would fight to gain the upper hand going into the first intermission, but that wouldn't be the case as the score would stay tied at one heading into the first break.
The second period offered only one DU penalty allowing the Panthers to take advantage of their size and speed as they would grab the game momentum away from the CMU squad. The Panthers scored early at the 3:32 mark as Jonah Rogowski put Davenport up 2-1. After a Chippewa goal evened the score half way through the period, Brit Ouellette would push Davenport out to a 3-2 lead with less than ten minutes remaining. Two minutes later, Adam Thomas added two quick goals only 1:15 apart giving DU the 5-2 lead going into the second intermission.
As the second period had minimum penalty box action, the third period would offer the exact opposite. Just 1:48 into the period, Jeff Slusser would add his second goal of the night off a DU power play. Following a Chippewa goal and a series of unfortunate Panther penalties, the Davenport penalty kill would offer a stellar performance killing a CMU 5 on 3 advantage giving the offense a turn to add their seventh goal of the evening off the stick of Brit Ouellette. A late goal by Central Michigan set the score at 7-4 in favor of the defending national champions and that would be how the game ended.
The win extends the Panther win streak to six games and sets up a chance for a second consecutive season sweep as DU will travel to Mount Pleasant to face the Chippewas Saturday night. The game is scheduled to start at 8:00 PM at the I.C.E. arena.
