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GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. - #2 Davenport returns to GLCHL play this weekend as they take on Adrian College twice and Western Michigan once. Adrian comes in undefeated in conference play as DU plays on the road Thursday and home on Saturday against the Bulldogs.

Adrian and Davenport square off in the first and second of four meetings between the two teams.  Adrian comes into the game 13-1 overall, and 7-0 in the GLCHL.  The Bulldogs are coached by Dan Phelps, and he has his guys playing hard on all ends of the ice.

They are led up front by Tom Ciaverilla and through 11 games he has 16 total points.  The Panthers will have to look out for Alex Bacuhman who leads the Bulldogs with 8 goals in 11 games.  Also dangerous for the Bulldogs is Alex Norman, who has five goals on the year as four of them have come from the powerplay.

The Bulldogs are tough on defense but are very solid in net.  Their goaltender Jason Spada has played in 9 games and has posted a 1.46 GAA and a 94% save percentage.  Although snubbed by the World University Games team, he was clearly the best goalie on the ice during the entire tryout.  Spada is rumored to being hurt and may not face the Panthers, so DU may be playing against Matt Anderson, who has played in 5 games and has been impressive with a 1.04 GAA and a 94% save percentage.  In almost 300 minutes played Matt has only allowed five goals.

Davenport and Adrian will be battling for the top spot in the GLCHL standings.  Adrian has started off scorching hot in league play and looks to maintain their lead.  Davenport is only 2-0 in league play as they have spent most of our time on the road against non-conference opponents. 

Keys to Adrian

• Throw everything on net and crash hard.  Put away any loose pucks.
• Use our speed to the outside and create space and time to find the open man going to the net
• Be physical whenever we get a chance.  Separate them off the puck
• Control the puck in all three zones, do not play a dump and chase
• Maintain the level of play of the last month, this team is very good and any slip up will cost us
• Cut down on odd man rushes and miscommunication in the d-zone.

Davenport will play at Adrian on Thursday and host the Bulldogs on Saturday.  In between is a conference game with Western Michigan University.  The Stallions are 1-5 in GLCHL Play that includes an shootout loss to Eastern Michigan. Western has played non-conference opponents Indiana University, Rutgers, West Chester and Youngstown State.