Box Score BOX SCORE

SALINE, Mich. - The CCLA Semifinal showdown between #2 GVSU and #5 Davenport turned into an instant classic today as the Lakers escaped with the 11-10 win in three overtimes.  The win sends Grand Valley into tonight's Championship game at 7:00 PM.

The two teams played a great game during the regular season and followed with an even better one in the conference tourney.  Davenport jumped out to a quick 4-2 lead after the first quarter that saw the Panthers get two goals from Shawn Beer (Aurora, Ontario),  and one each from Oliver Wade (Burlington, Ontario) and Sam Carlson (Grand Rapids, Mich.).

GVSU came back strong in the second quarter as they scored four of their own and held the DU offense in check with only a single goal from Cody Cross (Grand Rapids, Mich.) as the Lakers led 6-5 at halftime.

The third quarter was very similar to the second as the Davenport offense could not muster much as they scored a single goal once again this time from Shawn Beer.  GVSU on the other hand increased their lead to 9-6 with three more goals.

Davenport, needing a win to move into their second straight CCLA finals, scored four goals in the final quarter while giving up only a single one to knot the score at 10.  Jordy Sayers (Davison, Mich.) scored the game-tying goal with only 25 seconds to play to force overtime.

The two teams could not get a goal in the first two overtime periods but the Lakers struck the game winner in the third to move onto the title game vs. Dayton. 

Zach Higgins (Courtice, Ontario) took the loss in net as the sophomore finished with 14 saves on the 25 shots he faced.

Davenport still gained an at-large bid to the National Tourney as they will be the 5th seed overall and take on #12 seed Western Washington on Tuesday, May 11 at 1:00 MT.