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Site: Grand Rapids, Mich. (Patterson Ice Center)
Score: Davenport University 6, University of Louisville 1
Records: DU (9-2), UofL (6-4)
Next DU event: Saturday, October 26 vs. University of Louisville at 3:20 p.m.
 
GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. – The Panthers played smart in all aspects of the game tonight against the University of Louisville. Bryon Guerin put two goals to the back of the Cardinals net and secured one assist. Andrew Habasevich and Davenport's defense only allowed one shot to find the back of the net, keeping Louisville's offense at bay for the majority of the game. DU was able to push their lead to 6-1 after Jake Otto had two short-handed goals late in the third. The two teams return to Patterson tomorrow for a 3:20 p.m. game to finish their weekend series.
   
The Panthers exploded offensively from the start of the first period. With over 16 minutes to play in the first, Bryon Guerin put an early goal on the board for Davenport after a key passing play from Jake Hambidge and Blake Damerow which was fired right by the Cardinals goalie. Although DU held the majority of puck possession in the first, UofL was able to capture a power play goal with just under four minutes to go. Both teams battled for a quick goal at the end of the period to get an edge heading into the second but neither team was able to find the back of the net.

 Entering the second period with a tie was one way to get the Panthers fired up, and it worked. Guerin was able to capitalize on a quick goal for DU when a scramble in the front gave him an open shot right by the goalie. Branden Burton gave Davenport a 3-1 lead with 12 minutes to play in period two after his team was rifling shots at the University of Louisville's goalie Trevor Beck while they were in a power play situation; Burton had a split second to flick a wrist shot in from right near Beck's right side and he succeeded in delivering the puck to the back of the net. Less than a minute later Brandon Madai scored his first goal of the season while his team was a man down on the ice with the help a pass from Guerin. The Panther defense was able to maintain control and keep the Cardinals shots to a minimum resulting in no goals for the away team in period two.

With a 4-1 lead and one whole period to play, Coach Green and his team knew that their first priority was to keep Andrew Habasevich safe in the net and they did just that. DU's defense played smart, preventing almost any shots from flying towards Habasevich and their offense kept consistent pressure on the UofL goalie and defense. Jake Otto successfully gave Davenport its fifth goal of the night following a one time opportunity given to him by Donald Sund when the guys were short a player and with under two minutes remaining. A 5-1 win must not have been enough for Otto because with less than two seconds left in tonight's game he scored an unassisted goal when the Panthers were down a man.

Davenport returns to Patterson Saturday for an afternoon game where they will meet the University of Louisville for round two of the weekend series starting at 3:20 p.m. Coach Green liked what he saw out of his team tonight but had some important points for the D3 Hockey Team to focus on tomorrow. He would like to see his guys play more 5 on 5 hockey. He suggested that Penalties are what is bringing his team down and thought that their performance would be impressive if they could stay out of the box.       
 
 
D3 Ice Hockey Contact: Ryan Clarkson | 616-745-9420 | rclarkson1@davenport.edu
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