Box Score MIDLAND, Mich.- After falling behind 1-0 Davenport responded with three first period goals of their own on the way to 5-4 win over Grand Valley State.
Mike Soto led the Panthers with 2 goals and an assist. Davenport will play Saginaw Valley State in the semi-finals of the MCHC tournament tomorrow at 7:15 PM.
Davenport didn't get off to the start they wanted after a turnover in their own zone gave Grand Valley State a 1-0 lead just 3:40 into the first period. Davenport would respond as
Mike Soto tied the game up for the Panthers 10 minutes later on a goal assisted by
Chad Ouellette and
Sam Waldhart. Soto quickly added his second goal of the game a minute later on a power play goal to give the Panthers a 2-1 lead.
Just 24 seconds after Soto's second goal Davenport struck again and extended the lead to 3-1.
Zachary Bodziak had a nice feed on a two on one break to
Brandon Madaj. Madaj received the pass just in front of the net and moved the puck to his back hand to beat the goaltender.
There was little offensive production in the second period and both teams struggled to get shots on net.
Sam Waldhart scored the lone goal in the period when he cleaned up a loose puck in front of the net to give Davenport a 4-1 lead heading into the final period of play.
GVSU came out in the 3
rd period trying to start a comeback. The Lakers scored 31 seconds into the period to pull within two goals. A minute later
Evan Conn gave the Panthers a three goal lead again after receiving a pass in front of the net from
Adam Lippert. Grand Valley went on to net two more goals in the period, with the final goal coming with four seconds remaining.
Davenport will face off against Saginaw Valley State in the semi-finals of the MCHC Tournament Friday night. The teams will play in Midland, Michigan at 7:15 PM.
Post-Game Notes
Davenport has a 1-1 record against Saginaw Valley this season. The Panthers won 5-3 at Saginaw and lost 2-1 at home…The Panthers are now 2-7 this season when they allow four or more goals….Davenport is 5-1 on neutral ice this season.