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GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. - The best rivalry in the ACHA is upon us again this week as Davenport faces off against Oakland in the first two in the best of five series for the "Good Luck Duck" series. DU heads to Rochester on Friday while the two teams come back to Grand Rapids on Saturday night.

"This series is a great showcase for players that have been brought up in the Michigan Hockey system. There are 42 total players from the state of Michigan, that is why there is such a natural rivalry in this game. These kids have played on the same team or against each other a lot of their hockey career. Some of the players on their roster were guys that we wanted and I am sure its the same for them. I will get more texts, phone calls, and emails from alumni this week then I have all year combined," said Head Coach Phil Sweeney

On Friday night the Panthers travel to Rochester, Mich. to kick off the series. The Grizzlies are coming in on a hot streak winning their last five of six games. In the Grizzlies last five wins they have scored four or more goals in all of those contests. The Grizzlies are also in first place in the GLCHL with seven wins and one loss so far on the season. The GLCHL regular season title, is a little more important this season, as the winner of the conference punches their ticket, with an automatic bid, to the ACHA Division I national tournament in Cleveland Ohio. The Panthers are close on their heels winning their first five games in league play and sit only six points behind Oakland in the standings.

Oakland is led up front by Adam Novack. The Junior forward has nine goals and 24 total points so far on the season. He has done a great job leading a young core of forwards, as their next two top players are freshman as well. Billy Balent and Anthony Colizza are both having very good freshman campaigns with 23 and 20 points respectively. There is a lot of scoring punch up front, and in Coach Jeremy Bachusz's system he will have his forwards flying around, playing a very aggressive style of play.

On defense Oakland has All-American Jacob DeSano. The senior defenseman was selected to the ACHA Division I World University Games team as well as the Division I All Star game. All 3 of DeSano's goals have come off the powerplay. He will log a lot of minutes this weekend and look to not only shut down the Panthers offensively, but he will jump into the play when needed and add a little offensive punch.

Davenport will look to build off their impressive 4-1 win over Adrian College on Tuesday before the break. The Panthers have worked very hard on protecting their defensive zone. "Our goal is to keep teams to two goals or less. If we can consistently achieve this, we will win a lot of hockey games," added Assistant Coach Bill McSween

Get ready for a great rivalry this weekend. The Grizzlies will travel to Patterson Ice Arena to play at 7:30 on Saturday night for game two of the "Good Luck Duck" series.