Box Score ALLENDALE, Mich. – After falling behind early, Davenport came back to take a 2-1 lead early in the third period but two power play goals in a 21 second span for Grand Valley State doomed the Panthers. Phil Wendecker picked up both goals for the Panthers. Davenport and Grand Valley State will continue their weekend series Saturday night a Patterson Ice Center.
 
Davenport came out firing to start the game but it was the Lakers who would get on the board first when they snuck one past Matt Kaludis 1:57 into the game. Besides being on the penalty kill for two minutes in the middle of the period, the Panthers kept the pressure on GVSU for a majority of the opening period but weren't able to get one past the GVSU goalie.
 
The teams went back-and-forth in the second period with neither team able to convert. Beginning with eight minutes remaining in the period the Panthers were given back-to-back-to back power play opportunities. Unable to score on their first two power play chances, Phil Wendecker made sure they got one in on the third chance sending a rocket from the blue line over the goalie's shoulder and into the back of the net.
 
The third period began with four-on-four play after a Davenport major and GVSU minor penalties to end the second. Davenport was able to take advantage of the extra space when Wendecker knocked in his second goal of the game to give the Panthers a 2-1 lead. But the momentum shifted when GVSU got back to full-strength and had nearly three minutes left on the man-advantage. With 1:16 left on the Davenport penalty kill, GVSU got their first of two goals in a 21 second span on a tough tip-in. The second goal came off a bad clearing attempt by the Panthers that gave the Lakers the puck right in front of the net.
 
Davenport wasn't able to recapture the momentum to tie the game. GVSU added a security goal with 3:17 left to play to secure the Panthers loss. The two teams will meet again Saturday night at Patterson Ice Center. The puck will drop at 7:30pm and fans are encouraged to wear ugly sweaters to the game to show their Christmas spirit.
 
Post-Game Notes
 
This was the first time in five games that the home team was able to protect home ice…Davenport drops to 18-9-0-1 on the season…The Panthers will look to rebound against the Lakers Saturday night in their last game before the Winter break.