Grand Rapids, Mich. - A two-goal first period launched the Panthers back into the win column as they downed the Stallions of Western Michigan by a final score of 7-4. Justin Smith recorded a hat-trick and Cam Thomas collected his first win of the season en route to the victory.

The first period saw both teams come out with a sluggish start, but it was the Panthers who found the back of the net first, as Matt Morang (Dearborn, Mich.) opened the scoring for DU. As the period was winding down, Brit Ouellette (Windsor, Ontario) added to his team-leading 25 points as he buried a goal past the Stallion netminder on a great feed from Jonathon Frank (Wallingford, Conn.) and Sean McWhorter (Lansing, Mich.).

The second period proved to be a stalemate as both squads posted two goals each in the frame as both DU goals were scored by Smith. The Stallions were able to keep pace, however, as the visitors took advantage of Panther turnovers in the neutral zone. Thomas made multiple acrobatic saves in net, keeping the Panther lead safe.

While being dominated in the shot column, WMU refused to go away in the final twenty minutes, taking advantage of special team opportunities as the Stallions netted both short-handed and powerplay goals in the period. The Panthers held pace, as Smith finished the hat-trick and DU newcomer Sean McKenzie (Howell, Mich.) buried a beautiful wrap-around goal to place the game out of reach.

Cam Thomas (Kentwood, Mich.) finished with 12 saves on the evening, while the Panthers peppered the WMU backstopper with 58 shots on goal.

The Panthers will host the #5 Adrian Bulldogs tomorrow evening in an attempt at redemption as the GLCHL rival handed the Panthers their worst loss in recent years on Thursday night.