Box Score ST. CHARLES, Mo. – For a second straight game, Davenport used solid defense and strong play from their goalie to lead them to a win against a top-10 team. The Panthers defeated ninth-ranked Lindenwood 3-1 Friday night to improve to 18-6-0-1 on the season. Davenport and Lindenwood will conclude the weekend series on Saturday at 5pm EST.
After the long bus ride from Grand Rapids to St. Charles, the Panthers seemed to come out a little slow but they were able to withstand the early pressure from Lindenwood including a Lion power play just over five minutes into the game. Davenport got the first good opportunity with just less than eight minutes to play in the period when
Cody Walsh flipped a puck from his goal line to
Dan Zawacki who caught the pass behind the Lions defense but wasn't able to convert the breakaway chance.
With 4:34 remaining in the opening period, Lindenwood committed two penalties to give the Panthers a 5-on-3 power play. Davenport wouldn't waste the opportunity to put a goal on the board when
Tyler Quigley found the back of the net with 2:56 left in the period.
Dan Zawacki and
Phil Wendecker were credited with assists on the goal.
The second period began with the Panthers continuing to put pressure on the Lions but as the period progressed it was Lindenwood that became the aggressor. But
Phil Graveline and the Davenport defense held strong and made it through a couple long shifts to hold on to a 1-0 lead heading into the third.
Davenport and Lindenwood went back-and-forth for most of the third quarter with neither team able to put one in the back of the net. The Panthers were able to push the lead to two when Zawacki netted a four-on-four goal with 5:46 remaining. Fifteen seconds into a Davenport power play,
Dustin Wischmeyer put away the Lions with a power play goal with 1:13 left in the game. Lindenwood scored with 18 seconds left to prevent Davenport from getting their fourth shutout of the season.
Phil Graveline picked up the win in net for the Panthers allowing just one goal on 35 Lindenwood shots.
Dan Zawacki was involved in all three scores for the Panthers picking up a goal and two assists.
Tyler Quigley and
Dustin Wischmeyer also picked up goals for the Panthers.
Phil Wendecker recorded two assists while
Bo Jacobs and
Cody Walsh were also credited with an assist.
Davenport improves to 18-6-0-1 on the season. The Panthers and Lions will conclude the weekend series on Saturday at 5pm EST.
Post-Game Quotes – Head Coach Phil Sweeney
Thoughts on game – “We kept grinding all game long. It was playoff style game, physical and a lot of good hockey. We had a few breakdowns but overall we played a really good game and very good defensively and that's what we need to do to win.”
What has been the difference for your team defensively these past two games – “I think guys are starting to realize that we have a chance to do something special. To have a special hockey team, you have to play good defense and have good goaltending. That's our main goal and that's why people come to Davenport, to win the whole thing. And if you don't have good defense and good goaltending you won't do it. Tonight we showed again to a really high powered team that we can shut teams down if we put our mind to it and play our systems.
Post-Game Notes
With the win, Davenport has evened the all-time series with Lindenwood at 6-6…Davenport is currently on a four-game winning streak which is tied for their second longest of the season.
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