Photo Gallery | Highlights

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. – Davenport made a big statement on Friday for “Military Night” as they posted an impressive 4-2 win over visiting Hope College. The win lifts Davenport to 24-6 on the year and 11-1 in league play while Hope falls to 20-4 (10-3). The two teams will take the ice at Hope on Saturday at 9:00pm.

The opening period saw the Flying Dutchmen gain an early power play but DU netminder John Cruse came up with a pair of big saves to help the Panthers fight it off and then DU got the upper hand on the scoreboard when they struck with 9:53 remaining on a rebound putback by Ben Duthler. Assists were given to Garrett Garber and Bryon Guerin and that would be how the first period would end with DU holding a 1-0 lead.

After coming close to tying the game late in the opening period, Hope had some chances early in the second but the DU defense again hung tough through the opening 10 minutes. Unfortunately a power play enabled the Flying Dutchmen to knot the score at 1-1 with 9:14 remaining as the Panthers misplayed a shift change to give Hope a 3 on 1 breakaway in which they knocked in the rebound off Cruse.

Davenport came out flying in the third and was rewarded with numerous scoring chances and with 15:32 remaining, DU regained the lead on a goal by Blake Damerow. The assists were credited to Jordan Steger and Garrett Russell. Looking to add to their lead with just under 10 minutes to play, DU went on the power play but the Hope goaltender made two big saves to keep it a one goal game. Just after Hope killed off the penalty, the Dutchmen collected their second power play tally of the game to even up the score with just over five minutes to play.

Hope's goaltender came up with another huge save at the 4:04 mark when Jake Otto was stopped on a breakaway but the Panthers picked up a power play on the same possession and Zack Feher scored from the point in what would turn out to be the game winner to put Davenport up 3-2. The offensive surge continued just 53 seconds later when Bryon Guerin scored off an assist from Damerow to give the Panthers a two-goal lead.

That would be the final tally as Davenport posted the 4-2 win to stay atop the league standings with 23 points. The two teams will face off on Saturday at Hope's Edge Ice Arena at 9:00pm.

Fox 17 Coverage – Click Here

GR Press/M-Live Coverage – Click Here

Post-Game Quotes – Head coach Chris Green

On scoring surge in third period – “Coach Bultema and I were not happy with our play in the second period. We challenged the boys to come out with energy and passion and they did just that by creating scoring chances and attacking the net which eventually paid off with two power play goals”

On meaning of tonight's win – “A win today means nothing with a loss tomorrow. We came into this weekend with a Nationals mindset. Win the first two to get to the third (on Sunday) against Adrian. We need to play consistently to beat a good team like Hope in their own barn.”

Post-Game Notes

Davenport improves to 4-7 all-time against Hope College…The game featured the top two teams in the MCHC West Division and two of the top four ranked teams in the North Region…Hope and Davenport are the last two ACHA D3 national runners-up with Hope falling to College of the Canyons in 2011 and DU falling to Adrian last season