March 19, 2010

Box Score Photo Gallery 

SIMSBURY, Conn. - Davenport advanced to the National Semifinals for the fifth straight year today as the Panthers used two unanswered goals in the 3rd period to down Boston College 4-2. DU will take on Pool D winner Colorado at 8:30 AM on Saturday morning with the winner advancing to the National Championship game.

In a meeting of the top two teams in Pool B, Davenport took control first with a goal from Ben Dykstra (Kentwood, Mich.) with 7:55 to play. Jeff Slusser was credited with the assist and DU took the 1-0 lead into the first intermission. Shots were tied at 8-8.

Coming out a little sluggish in the opening minutes of the second and it hurt them 5:20 in when Boston College tied the game at 1-1 with a 5 on 3 goal.

DU did respond however with a great faceoff win by Adam Thomas (Kentwood, Mich.) as he poked the puck right in front of the Eagles netminder and Jeff Slusser buried it glove side to put the Panthers up 2-1 after two periods.

Only twenty minutes away from Saturday's semifinals vs. the Buffaloes, DU could not muster a goal in the opening minutes after numerous chances and the Eagles responded to tie the game at 2-2 with 11:53 to play.

Davenport then showed why they have won the last two National Championships as they came right back just over two minutes later to take the lead for good when Jon Stolarz (Grand Haven, Mich.) put away the game winner on a loose puck in front of the net.

The Panthers added an insurance goal with 7:35 remaining when Bobby Collar (Brighton, Mich.) got a sweet pass from Brit Ouellette (Windsor, Ontario) on a breakaway.

Scott Knight (Grand Rapids, Mich.) posted his third straight win in net as the fifth year player stopped 27 of the 29 shots he faced.

Davenport will meet Colorado with a berth in the National Championship game on the line at 8:30 AM in the International Skating Center in Simsbury, CT. DU fans that are in Grand Rapids can watch the game live at the Student Center as there will be breakfast items available!