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GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. – Garrett Garber posted three points while Chad Ouellette finished with two as they led the D3 Panthers to a second straight 4-2 win over Michigan State. The weekend sweep lifts DU to 24-9 on the year as they have won 11 of their last 13 games.
The first period was very high paced in the early going and Davenport struck first when Garrett Garber (Cadillac, Mich.) put away a loose puck in front of the net to put the Panthers up 1-0. Assisting on the play were Chad Ouellette (Windsor, Ontario) and Sam Waldhart (Walker, Mich.).
The Panthers added to their lead with 6:16 to play in the opening period when Garrett Russell (Midland, Mich.) scored an even strength goal shortly after a penalty kill for DU. Garber and Ben Duthler (Grand Rapids, Mich.) were credited with the helpers.
It looked as if Davenport would take a 2-0 lead into the first intermission but a defensive breakdown led to a Spartan goal with 3:12 to play and the lead at the end of one was a single goal for DU.
Michigan State, which came into the weekend ranked No. 2 in the North Region rankings, stepped up their play in the first half of the second period and saw many chances on a few power plays but Jon Kruse remained solid in net deflecting all chances from the Spartans.
DU then picked up the critical third goal in the close game when Justin Welker (Speedway, Ind.) pounded home a rebound on assists from Ouellette and Taylor Keyworth (Grand Rapids, Mich.). The goal, with only 3:39 to play in the second, was the 22nd of the season for the senior.
The third period was very intense from start to finish and the Spartans picked up a huge power play goal to bring the deficit to just one with just under 12:00 to play in the game. DU then became the defender of their zone and with only 35 seconds remaining got the empty netter from Zack Feher (Livonia, Mich.) to seal the weekend sweep.
Davenport will be in action next when they take on top-ranked Hope College in a home and home series next weekend. DU will host the Flying Dutchmen on Friday before heading to the Edge (which is the site of ACHA D3 Nationals) on Saturday. Live audio and stats will be provided by DU Sports Information.
