Box Score Site: Lynchburg, Va. (LaHaye Ice Center)
Score: No. 12 Davenport 1, No. 9 Liberty 2
Records: DU (4-1-0-1), LU (9-1-0-0)
Next DU event: Saturday, Oct. 19 – at Liberty – 7 p.m.
 
LYNCHBURG, Va. – The Davenport D1 hockey team opened up the Blue-Gray Cup against No. 9 Liberty. After a long bus trip out to Lynchburg, Va. the Panthers came out looking to take game one of the series. However, the Liberty Flames would escape with a 2-1 victory in what was a very physical match up between the two bitter rivals. Phil Graveline kept the Panthers close the entire game coming with huge save throughout. The only goal score for the Panthers would be Luke McCarthy. Both teams will be back at it again tomorrow at 7 p.m.
 
The game would open up with fast paced back and fourth game. The first period did not see many whistles, as it was a quick period. The Flames where able to break through with a scrum in front of the net. The referees had to talk it over and confirmed the goal. The Flames would take a 1-0 lead into the locker room.
 
In the second period, the Panthers would come out slow and Liberty was able to dictate the tone of play. The Flames would hold position in the zone and get many chances, but Phil Graveline would come up with some huge saves to keep the score 1-0.
 
The physicality picked up, but Graveline would remain tall in net. The Flames where able to take a two goal as they had an odd man break and were able to beat Graveline. Both goaltenders were playing lights out and were hard to get anything past them. The Flames and Panthers would try to get to the goaltenders and have few close calls.
 
The Panthers had an odd man break and Robert Kleiman slipped a pass to Bo Jacobs who was streaking toward the net but could not put it home. Jacobs would make contact with the Flame goalie, Blair Bennett, and drew a skirmish.
 
After the referees sorted everything the flow of the game had died. The Panthers where able to get a four on three power play after the skirmish. Luke McCarthy was sitting in the slot to and was able to finally get break the ice for Davenport to cut the Flame lead to one. The score would stay 2-1 going into the second intermission.
 
The final period opened with both teams playing physically and not letting up. The Panthers would use the momentum from the goal in the second period to start to turn the tide. Davenport would start to dictate their style of play on the game.
 
However, penalties, post whistle action, and referee meetings often interrupted the flow of the game. The Panthers would get a few chances but Bennett would continue to keep Liberty ahead. The final buzzer would go off as the Flames escaped game one with a 2-1 victory.
 
After the game head coach, Phil Sweeney, had some thoughts on the game, "We started very slow tonight an it cost us. We have to do a better job in the defensive zone as we were running around a lot again today. We have the team speed but we did not use it tonight. It was a tough, hard fought game and our guys battled." He continued to look ahead to tomorrow's game, "We need to play 60 minutes of hockey and get out of here with a split."
 
The Panthers, who still sit a No. 12 in the ACHA rankings, will be back in action again tomorrow against No. 9 Liberty. The two teams will faceoff in game two of the Blue-Gray Cup. The puck of game two is at 7 p.m. in Lynchburg, Va.
 
Post-Game Notes
 
The Panthers drop to 4-1-0-1 on the season. This was the first game of the season that they dropped in regulation. Luke McCarthy, the only player to score for the Panthers tonight, has a point in five of the first six games. He is now tied for the team lead in points with six and goals with three.
 
 
 
DI Ice Hockey Contact: David Gerhart | 616-554-5045 | dgerhart@davenport.edu
DU Athletics: Twitter | Facebook | YouTube | Instagram
DI Ice Hockey: Twitter | Facebook