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MACOMB, Mich.- Davenport will start their run for a third straight National Tournament appearance this weekend as they compete in the Regional Tournament. The Panthers will face off against Calvin College on Friday at 5:45 PM in Macomb, MI.
The final rankings came out this past weekend and placed Davenport as the No. 4 team in the North region. Hope and Saginaw Valley both finished one and two in the rankings, and received and automatic bids to the National Tournament.
The Panthers will face off against No. 9 Calvin College in their opening game of regionals. The knights finished with a 12-13 regular season record and were 4-12 in the MCHC Blue Division. Calvin's offensive attack was led by Brent Harris who appeared in 22 games and recorded 13 goals and 15 assists. Leading the Knight's in net will be Trevor Boardway who went 6-11 on the year with a 2.84 GAA and a .91 save percentage.
After the first round of games are completed, the teams that are still remaining will be reseeded. Here is a closer look at the other teams in the region.
No.3 Adrian Gold- The Bulldogs finished the year with a 16-4 record including two wins over the Panthers, and captured their first MCHC Red Division title. Adrian is led by Nicholas Reuter who recorded 13 goals and 11 assists on the year. The Bulldogs ended the season with a +47 goal differential thanks to goaltenders Garret Knapp and Jeff Bernyk. Adrian opens regional play against No. 10 Northwood.
No. 5 Robert Morris-Peoria- The eagles had one of their best regular seasons in the school's history as they finished 29-2. The Panthers faced RMU three times during the season and lost each game by a single goal with one game going into overtime. The eagles have a high powered offense and had six players register 49 points or more. Brandon Neville led the team with 54 points as he netted 17 goals and dished out 37 assists. RMU faces Oakland in the opening round.
No.6 Michigan State- The Spartans finished the year 17-9 overall and 6-4 in the MCHC Red Division. The Panthers defeated the Spartans 6-3 last weekend in their only matchup of the season. Leading the Spartans in scoring this season was Kevin Corbett who had 19 goals and 22 assists. Goalie Jason Cornell anchored the Spartans defense this season with a 3.21 GAA. MSU will play Michigan Flint in the first round.
No.7 Michigan Flint- UM-Flint finished the regular season with a 24-7 overall record. Goalie Kirk Allen ended the year with a 11-1 record and a 1.91 GAA. Leading UM-Flint in scoring was Dan Cowan with 21 goals and 36 assists. Um-Flint will face off against Michigan State in the opening round.
No.8 Oakland- The Golden Grizzles finished the year 19-12 and 10-4 in the MCHC Blue Division. Davenport faced Oakland four times during the regular season, winning both home games and losing both road games. Ryan Candela led Oakland's offense this year with 22 goals and 28 assists. Oakland will open regional play against Robert Morris-Peoria.
No.10 Northwood- The Timberwolves finished the regular season with an overall record of 13-15. Michael Wohlwend was Northwood's leading scorer in the regular season. Wohlwend appeared in 28 games and recorded 20 goals and 21 assists. The Timberwolves will face off against Adrian Gold in the opening round.
The second round of regionals will be played Saturday in Macomb, MI at Suburban Ice Arena. The two games will be played in the afternoon with the first game at 12:30 and the second at 3:00.
