Box Score Highlight Video

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. – Davenport jumped out to a 3-0 lead just over two minutes into the second period but gave up four unanswered goals before eventually losing in overtime. Daniel Swink scored two goals, while Bryon Guerin and Zach Feher each added one goal for the Panthers. John Cruse picked up 35 saves in his fourth loss of the year.  

After having troubles with their bus on the way to Patterson Ice Center, the Cardinals fortune did not improve early on in the first period. 1:43 into the game Saginaw Valley scored an own goal on a bizarre play. Bryon Guerin was called for a penalty near center ice and the Cardinals goalie skated to the bench on the delayed penalty call. SVSU maintained possession of the puck and attempted to center the puck from behind the net, but the centering attempt went through everybody in front of the net and trickled into the net for a Panthers goal. Guerin, who was the last Panther to touch the puck, was credited with the goal. Later in the period Zach Feher extended the Panthers lead by banging in a pass from Blake Damerow.

Just 2:17 into the second period Daniel Swink picked up his first goal as a Panther as he scooped up a loose puck and lifted it top shelf to give DU a 3-0 lead. From that point the Cardinals picked up their offensive attack and began to put heavy pressure on the Panthers defense. The Cardinals picked up two goals two minutes apart in the middle of the second period to cut the deficit to 3-2.

The Cardinals wasted no time pulling even with the Panthers as they tied the game 3-3 33 seconds into the third period. Then, 9:03 into the period SVSU scored their fourth unanswered goal on the power play to give the cardinals their first lead of the game. Trying to find the equalizer the Panthers were given a man advantage after the Cardinals were called for cross checking. DU tied the game on the ensuing power play with 5:33 left as Branden Burton set up Swink for his second goal of the game.

Neither team was able to find the back of the net in the final five and a half minutes of regulation and the game went into overtime tied 4-4. With 1:49 left in overtime Cardinal forward Dylan Welch found an open shooting lane and slipped a shot underneath the glove of John Cruse to give Saginaw Valley State the win.   

Post-Game Notes
Davenport is 1-5 in home games against Saginaw Valley State…The Panthers are now 8-2 this season at home…DU will be in Bowling Green, Ohio next weekend for a series with D2 Bowling Green.