March 6, 2010
Box Score
EAST LANSING, Mich. - Davenport looked to claim their 5th straight GMHL tourney title tonight against MSU but will not get that chance after falling 6-5 in OT to Miami (OH). DU had already won a fifth straight regular season title but will now be off until the National Championships from March 17-20.
DU, which has not played since an 11-1 win over Central Michigan on February 19, jumped out to a fast 2-0 lead less than two minutes into the opening period. Sean McWhorter (Lansing, Mich.) and Adam Thomas (Kentwood, Mich.) scored less than 30 seconds apart and the Panthers eventually led 3-2 after one as the defense allowed two late goals from Miami.
Early in the second period, DU got a goal from Brit Ouellette (Windsor, Onatrio) to go up 4-2 and would add a second Adam Thomas goal with just less than four minutes gone by to increase the margin to three goals at 5-2.
Miami added a late goal in the second period with just more than 30 seconds to play as the score would be 5-3 in favor of DU after 40 minutes.
The first half of the 3rd period saw both teams create numerous chances but neither could break through for a goal. That all changed with about 6:00 to play as Miami cut the lead to just a single goal on the back end of a power play. The Red Hawks struck again just 1:12 later as they tied the game after a poor defensive play from Davenport.
The two teams then headed to overtime where Miami used the momentum to control the opening minutes but DU held strong and actually created more chances down the stretch but neither team could muster the game winner.
The second overtime session was a back and forth affair until the Red Hawks completed the comeback with a goal just six minutes into the game.
The loss is the first in the GMHL tourney since DU entered the league and it will be their last as they will move up to ACHA D1 next season. Over the last five years, DU finished with 5 regular season crowns and 4 tourney crowns.
DU is now 28-15 on the year and will take on Bowling Green in the D2 National Tournament opening game on Wednesday, March 17 at 12:45 PM EST. You can watch the game live thanks for Fast Hockey's coverage at the National Tournament.
