Box Score
GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. - Davenport returned home for the first time this season but fell 4-3 to third-ranked Ohio. The Panthers trailed 3-2 after the first but a early third period goal by Ohio would prove to be too much for the Panthers to overcome. Davenport added a goal late to cut the deficit to one but wouldn't be able to get another. Davenport's record drops to 2-4 on the season on the season.
Both teams came out of the gate quick but it was Ohio that got on the board first. After an Ohio shot by Nick Rostek, Tyler Pilmore was able to collect the rebound in front of the net and put it away to give the Bobcats the early 1-0 lead.
Davenport responded well and got a goal by
Philip Tesoriero less than four minutes later to tie the game at one goal apiece. The goal was Tesoriero's first of the season.
After the Panther goal the momentum shifted back to the Bobcats. Ohio scored at the halfway point in the first and then again two minutes later to take a 3-1 lead.
With just over a minute left in the first period,
Jeff Slusser was able to gather the puck out of a mess in front of the net and score for his first goal of the season. The score would hold at 3-2 in favor of the Bobcats going into the first intermission.
Both teams had some good chances in the second period but excellent goaltending by Davenport goalie
Joe D'Elia and Ohio goalie Dushkin Fedor kept the second period scoreless. Davenport went into the third period trailing 3-2.
Davenport dug themselves a deeper hole early in the third when Ohio's Michael Schultz scored five minutes into the third to increase the Bobcat lead to two.
Davenport wouldn't give up and got a goal with just under two minutes remaining in the game by
Dustin Wischmeyer to bring the Panthers within one. Davenport had a couple more chances late but couldn't get anything past the Ohio goalie.
The Panthes were outshot 23-22 in the game but outshot the Bobcats 12-4 in the third period.
Joe D'Elia stopped 19 of the 23 shots in the loss while Fedor Dushkin, the Ohio netminder, stopped 19 of the 22 shots for the win.
Davenport will be in action again tomorrow when they host Ohio for the second game of the weekend series at 7:30 pm.
Post-Game Notes
Davenport falls to 4-2 all-time against Ohio...The loss snaps a two game winning streak for the Panthers...All of Davenport's games this season have come against ranked opponents.
