Box Score Photo Gallery | Green Audio Interview | Sund's Game Winner

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. – Davenport recovered from an awful second period that saw them fall behind 5-3 but a strong third to tie it and a goal from Donald Sund just 42 seconds into overtime lifted the Panthers to a thrilling 6-5 win over Kennesaw State. The victory clinches Pool C for Davenport as they now move onto the national semifinals where they will face Michigan-Flint at 2:00 p.m. EST on Friday afternoon.

Neither team generated much offense in a game that started much like the first period of Wednesday's win over Marquette but just as the halfway point approached, Jordan Steger got a pass from Dugan Kelly and put it in for the first tally of the game as Davenport led 1-0 with 10:44 remaining. Six minutes later, DU got their first power play and wasted no time in getting their second goal when Blake Damerow used a perfect cross-ice pass from Garrett Garber to put the Panthers out front 2-0.
DU netminder John Cruse came up with two big saves late to preserve the 2-0 lead after 20 minutes of play with the Owls holding a slight 12-11 edge in shots.

The second period saw six goals scored and unfortunately for the Panthers, five of them were from the Owls. KSU got on the board with their first 13:43 into the period but then DU struck right back 27 seconds later when Blake Damerow knocked in a rebound off the shot from Zack Feher. That would be the last scoring for the Panthers however as KSU scored four unanswered to finish the period leading 5-3.

Needing two goals to even up the score, DU started the third by dominating the play and had numerous chances and finally broke through 10:07 into the period when Branden Burton scored on assists from Jake Otto and Donald Sund. Then with 4:51 remaining, Jordan Steger got the equalizer from Damerow and the two teams headed to overtime.

Needing only a tie to advance to the semifinal round on Friday, DU wasted no time in making sure it did not come to that as Donald Sund worked his way through the defense and beat the KSU netminder top-shelf to clinch the game 6-5.

The win moves the Panthers into Friday's semifinals where they will play a familiar foe in Michigan-Flint. Davenport the UofM played once this year with the Panthers posting a 5-4 win in the last regular season game of the year back on February 9. Flint won Pool D by going 3-0 vs. Cal-PA, Iowa State and Alabama. The winner of the semifinal round will face the winner of Pool A (Adrian) and Pool B (either Hope or Central Florida).

Post-Game Notes

The is the second straight ACHA D3 semifinal appearance for Davenport as they made the championship game last season…DU has scored 19 goals in three games so far at nationals while giving up just eight…DU improves to 1-0 all-time against Kennesaw State…The Panthers outshot the Owls 46-31…The 34^th win this season breaks the program record for victories in a single season (DU had 33 in 2011-12)
 
POOL C MATCHUPS: 
Day 1 – Marquette 4, Kennesaw State 2 | Davenport 7 – SUNY-Maritime 1
Day 2 – Kennesaw State 5, SUNY-Maritime 2 | Davenport 6, Marquette 2
Day 3 – Davenport 6, Kennesaw State 5 (OT) | SUNY-Maritime 6, Marquette 3

A LOOK at DAVENPORT - Davenport claimed their first ever MCHC West Division Title by going 13-1 in league play including their first ever sweep of rival Hope College...DU has played six of the 20 teams appearing at the National Tournament and went 6-4 in those matchups...Jordan Steger and Donald Sund lead the team in points (44) and goals (22) while Branden Burton is tops in assists with 24...John Cruse finished with a GAA of 1.94
 
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