March 20, 2009

Box Score

HUDSONVILLE, Mich. - Brit Ouellette's hat trick lifted the Panthers to a 6-2 victory over Colorado State in the National Semifinals today and the win sends DU into tomorrow afternoon's National Championship Game against Florida Gulf Coast. Game time is set for 1:00 PM inside VanAndel Arena downtown Grand Rapids.

Going up against a very physical and hard-hitting Rams squad that glided through their Pool Play without a serious challenge, the Panthers struck first when Adam Thomas and Jonah Rogowski found Brit Ouellette only 7:12 into the game. The defense then killed off a few penalties to give DU a 1-0 lead going into the first intermission.

Coming out in the second, DU needed to stay disciplined and the Panthers pushed their lead to two goals when Ouellette connected with Kevin Brojek for his second of the game halfway through. After a Colorado State goal at the 5:51 mark, Davenport lifted their lead back to two goals when Jonah Rogowski got his first of the game and DU went into the final intermission leading 3-1.

The third period started with a Bobby Collar goal that was called off but the Panthers increased the lead to three at the 16:10 mark when Kevin Doyle scored on a nice pass from Bobby Collar.

The Rams made things interesting down the stretch as they got a cheap goal with only 7:53 remaining, but Adam Thomas and Brit Ouellette each scored a goal in the last 20 seconds for the 6-2 win.

Chris Joswiak earned his third win in goal during the National Tournament as he has only given up four goals in three games.

The 2009 ACHA D-II National Championship Game will be played downtown Grand Rapids at VanAndel Arena at 1:00 on Saturday, March 21.

To watch the game live, please click here