Box Score HOLLAND, Mich. – Jordan Steger scored an overtime goal to give the Panthers a 4-3 victory over California University of Pennsylvania in the second game of pool play in the ACHA Divison 3 National Tournament. The win lifts DU's record to 1-1 in the event as they will face McKendree tomorrow at 12:15 p.m.
Mike Soto (Muskegon, Mich.) went short side on the Cal U. netminder to give DU their first goal of the game at 3:10 of the third period to start the Panther comeback.
Two goals in 8 seconds give the Panthers their first lead of the contest at 3-2 in the third period. Norm Farr (Jenison, Mich.) beat the Vulcans' goaltender glove side for the first, while Justin Welker (Speedway, Ind.) added the second for the Panthers at 7:48 of the third period.
Cal U. tied the game up just less than 2 minutes later and the score would stay deadlocked through 60 minutes of play, forcing a 10 minute overtime session.
Steger knocked in the game-winning goal for the Panthers with 2:20 remaining in overtime for the Davenport win.
The Panthers' defense stepped up early in the first period, killing off a Cal U. power play with two Panthers, Taylor Keyworth (Grand Rapids, Mich.) and Sam Waldhart (Walker, Mich.), playing without sticks for most of the penalty due to broken lumber. At 11:15, DU netminder John Cruse (Shelby Twp, Mich.) stoned a Vulcans on a breakaway to preserve the scoreless game.
Back-to-back Vulcans' penalties gave Davenport a three-on-five power play for almost one minute, but the Panthers could not capitalize on the opportunity, keeping the score deadlocked at 0-0. Late in the first period, however, Cal. U tallied a score for a 1-0 advantage after one period.
The Vulcans added another goal early in the second period at 2:17 to go up 2-0. That score would hold up through the second period of play as the Panthers went into the final intermission down two before their late rally.
The Panthers' final game of pool play is tomorrow against McKendree at 12:15 p.m. The Bearcats are 0-2 in pool play after dropping games to Cal U. and Florida Gulf Coast.
