GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. -  Davenport travels to Saginaw Valley on Saturday to take on the Cardinals in a non-conference game. The Panthers will look to rebound after their first loss of the season to Adrian College.

Both Davenport and Saginaw Valley are coming into Saturday night's matchup looking to get back on track. The Panthers (2-1) are coming off of a 3-2 loss to Adrian College, while the Cardinals (0-2) are coming off of a couple defeats to Grand Valley State Universities D2 team.

Previewing Saginaw Valley State

SVSU has been a perennial power house as a member of the MCHC. The Cardinals have made five straight appearances in the ACHA national tournament and won back to back National championships. (08-09) Saginaw will have to fill the void of losing 1^st team All-Americans Jon Tibaudo and Steve Pelky.

Dylan Welch, who was the second leading scorer for the Cardinals last season, will look to lead the offense. Welch notched 32 goals and 28 assists in just 29 games last season. He has gotten off to a quick start this season and has 3 goals in two games.  

The Panthers will have a tough challenge of beaten goaltender Joe Strickland.  Strickland returns from last season where he posted a 9-1 record and allowed just over three goals a game.

Previewing Davenport

The Panthers will look to use their depth and a balanced scoring attack to bring down the Cardinals. In the first three games of the season the Panthers have received a total of 12 goals from nine different players.  Zack Feher, Jordan Steger, and Jake Otto have led Davenport with two goals each.

Head Coach Chris Green says the point of emphasis has been on the teams intensity this week. “It's going to be about how hungry we are going to be” commented Green “They're a great team and we can't take them lightly.”

The Panthers defense comes into the game playing at a high level. In three games they have let up only five goals. John Cruse has been solid in net, saving 94 percent of the shots that have come his way. 

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