Panthers Fall 5-4 in OT to Oakland in GLCHL Semifinals

Game Scoring

Ypsilanti, Mich. - An unlucky bounce in overtime ended DU's chance at a GLCHL championship Saturday night as the lower-seeded Oakland University Grizzlies upset the Panthers.

The first period saw Oakland take advantage of two DU miscommunications and score the early 1-0 lead. The Panthers responded well, while outshooting OU 15-6 in the first period. Matt Morang tallied for DU in the first, as the Senior hammered home a powerplay goal. With just over a minute remaining in the period, Ben Dykstra unleashed a cannon from the top of the left faceoff circle, beating the Oakland goaltender on the glove side.

The ice tilted quickly in Oakland's favor in the second period as the Grizzlies outscored the Panthers 3-0 in the second period.

The Panthers responded quickly in the third period as Bobby Collar scored a short-handed goal from below the goalline as the OU goaltender mishandled the puck in the dangerous area. Five minutes later, captain Brit Ouellette buried a rebound goal to knot the game at 4. The play continued back and forth as neither team could capitalize and score the game winner.

As per GLCHL rules, the game headed to a 20-minute sudden death, which unfortunately for the Panthers, didn't last long. Just 1:38 into the extra frame, the Grizzlies dumped it in the Panthers end. As the puck rolled around the back glass, it hit a stanchion and popped out into the slot where the OU forward made no mistake to send the Grizzlies into the GLCHL championship game against the Adrian Bulldogs.

Goaltender Joe D'Elia finished the game with 31 saves as his record drops to 14-7. The Panthers now face Division II rival Michigan State next weekend in a tune-up game for the National Tournament, hosted by the University of Delaware.

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