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GRAND RAPIDS , Mich. - Powered by Justin Welker's two goals, the D3 Panthers were able to knock off the host Knights of Calvin by a final score of 4-2. Goaltender John Cruse stopped 29 of the 31 shots fired his way, while Jason Kraemer and Chad Ouellette also found the scoresheet for DU.

The first period started poorly for the Panthers and penalty trouble began to swing the momentum in Calvin's favor. The host Knights were finally able to capitalize after a DU penalty had expired, giving Calvin a 1-0 lead.

Before the period was over, the Panthers were able to convert on a Calvin defensive mistake. After a DU defenseman lifted the puck to center ice, a Calvin player attempted to kick the puck and missed, which sprung Justin Welker (Speedway, Ind.) on a breakaway. Making no mistake, the forward buried the puck five-hole to get the Panthers on the board just before the first intermission.

At the midway point of the second period, Chad Ouellette (Windsor, Ontario) snuck behind the Knight defenders and Jason Kraemer (Livonia, Mich.) found him backdoor as the captain one-timed the well-placed pass behind the unsuspecting Calvin netminder.

Unfortunately for the Panthers, a defensive miscue allowed the Knights back into the game as Calvin tied it only three minutes later.

The Panthers exhibited resilience however as Welker added his second of the night as the forward jammed away at a loose rebound lying in the Calvin crease.

The Panthers headed into the second break determined to string together a solid 20 minutes of play and put the Knights away for good.

DU did just that as Zack Feher (Livonia, Mich.) gathered a loose puck in the slot and ripped it top shelf giving the Panthers the cushion that was needed.

In the waning moments of the game, the Panthers took two penalties, and in conjunction with the Knights pulling their goaltender, finished the game killing off a 6-on-3 disadvantage for the victory.

This weekend's games were played in support of breast cancer research with all revenues donated to the Van Andel Institute in the effort to finding a cure for such a deadly disease.

DU returns to the ice tomorrow evening at Patterson Ice Center to finish the home-and-home with the Calvin Knights.