March 18, 2010

Box Score  Photo Gallery

SIMSBURY, Conn. - Davenport improved to 2-0 in Pool B today with a dominating 7-1 win over Eastern Washington. Adam Thomas recorded a hat-trick as the Panthers will take on Boston College on Friday at 12:15 PM with the winner advancing to Saturday morning's National Semifinals at 8:30 AM.

After opening the tournament with an 8-2 win over Pool #4 seed Bowling Green on Wednesday, DU returned to the ice and scored three goals in the first, one in the second and three more in the third.

After a high energy start, the Panthers got onto the board first at the 13:59 mark when Adam Thomas (Kentwood, Mich.) scored a power play goal from Jesse Carter. DU would add a second just 3:26 later when Jeff Slusser (Kentwood, Mich.) scored an un-assisted goal just seconds after DU killed off an Eastern Washington power play.

The second period was much more of a defensive battle as the two teams faced numerous penalty kills but shortly after the Panthers were unable to get their extra man goal,

Adam Thomas scored his second of the day with 3:12 to play in the period. The Panthers added to their lead in the final minutes when Bobby Collar (Brighton, Mich.) scored on a delayed penalty by Eastern Washington. The goal came with only 32 seconds to play as DU went into the 2nd intermission up 4-0.

The play was pretty sloppy by both teams to open the final period and EWU took numerous penalties as one player had five himself over the course of the game. DU did allow a lazy goal halfway through but got two more for the final outcome of 7-1.

Thomas recorded the hat-trick with only eight seconds remaining to give the fifth year player four points in the game (3 goals and one assist). DU will now look to move into the National Semifinals on Saturday as they take on

Boston College who is also 2-0 in pool play. The game is scheduled for a 12:15 PM start in Simsbury and a live watch party can be seen at Davenport University's Student Center.