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GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. –
Tyler Quigley and
Robert Kleiman both scored and Tournament MVP
Phil Graveline led a brilliant defensive performance as the No. 2 seed Davenport DI hockey team held off a rallying No. 1 seed Adrian to a 2-1 victory in its first ever appearance in the Great Lakes Collegiate Hockey League Tournament final Sunday afternoon at the Patterson Ice Center.
Despite it being a low scoring game, the GLCHL final provided all the drama it needed for a good crowd in hand to witness.
Just over a minute into the game, Adrian thought having the first power play of the day was going to be an advantage, but
Tyler Quigley was breaking away from center ice and as he was about to take the shot he was tripped by a Bulldog defenseman. Quigley took the penalty shot and was able to beat Bulldog netminder Matt Anderson with a shot on the right side, narrowly missing the glove.
After the goal was scored, both teams would have scoring opportunities but their goaltenders well defended their posts.
Heading into the third period, the top two seeded teams came out of the locker room with a lot more intensity, more intensity that would turn into goals. Two minutes into the period,
Mason Bohlinger guided the puck from center ice to the right post, and with a crowd surrounding the Bulldog crease, Kleiman shot the loose puck from the right post for the second goal of the game.
The insurance goal came in handy for the Panthers. Graveline was unbreakable until the 13 minute mark when Bulldog Alex Dobrzeniecki's blast from the blue line on the right side passed Graveline and banked into the net off the left post.
The goal appeared to have sparked the Bulldogs as they attacked the Panther defense aggressively. The Bulldogs appeared to have netted the tying goal when the Panthers left an open spot near the left post, but Graveline made it just in time to prevent the goal and preserve the lead.
Before the Panthers prepare for No. 8 Lindenwood in the second round of the ACHA Division I National Tournament, they will host Oakland one more time to decide the winner of the Good Luck Duck Series Friday at 8:30 p.m.
Post-Game Notes
Davenport has now evened the all-time series against Adrian nine games apiece.