Box Score
MT. PLEASANT, Mich. - The Panthers opened their inaugural season in ACHA Division I competition with a resounding 10-1 defeat of the Division II Central Michigan University Chippewas. The victory marks 11th win in 12 games vs. CMU as the series now moves to Patterson Ice Center on Saturday night at 7:00pm.
Freshman
Phil Wendecker (Westland, Mich.) opened this season's scoring by capping off a nice pass play initiated in the Panther's defensive zone by
Sean McWhorter (Lansing, Mich.). McWhorter quickly sent a two-line pass to
Adam Kuhn (Southgate, Mich.) who pulled a nice move on the Chippewa defender and then left he puck in the slot for Wendecker who slammed it home to put the Panthers up 1-0.
The first period ended just as it had began - with big hits being delivered by both teams. While the Panthers outshot their opponent 11-4 in the first, the Chips relied on their physical play to keep even with Davenport's talent - a tactic that would begin to fail as the second period opened.
The Panthers wasted no time building their 1-0 lead in the second as the freshman continued to carry the play with
Tyler Forbes (Toronto, Ontario) and
Adam Kuhn (Southgate, Mich.) netted goals alongside tallies from veterans
Jonathon Frank (Wallingford, Conn.) and
Bobby Collar (Brighton, Mich.). The Panthers would build their lead to 5-0 before a defensive collapse and miscommunication led to a Chippewa rebound goal.
The Panthers continued the onslaught in the third period as Kuhn completed the hat-trick in his first collegiate game. Freshman goaltender
Phil Graveline (Marshall, Mich.), although rarely tested, put in a workman-like job as he backstopped the Panthers with 13 saves on 14 shots.
The Panthers will complete the home-and-home Saturday evening at Patterson Ice Center. Game time is set for 7:00 PM as there will be an ice cream social before hand.
