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Site: Grand Rapids, Mich. (Patterson Ice Center)
Score: No. 12 Davenport 5, Western Michigan 1
Records: DU (19-8-0-1), WMU (6-18-0-2)
Next DU event: Friday, Jan. 24 – vs. Lindenwood – 8:30 p.m.
 
GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. – The Davenport D1 hockey team looked to continue their roll in 2014 and complete the season sweep of Western Michigan. The Panthers started slow once again as the Stallions got on the board in the opening minute of the game, but DU rebounded nicely scoring two goals to close out the first period. Davenport continued to play physical and they scored the final five goals in the game to win the game 5-1. The Panthers will be back in action next weekend as they host Lindenwood for two games at Patterson Ice Center beginning Friday at 8:30 p.m.
 
Davenport wanted to start the game fast and take an early lead, but Western Michigan struck first and scored in the first minute of the game to take the early lead in the game. After the goal DU rebounded and held the puck in the Western Michigan end for long periods of time but could not strike.
 
DU was able to find the back of the net as Luke McCarthy got the scoring started for the Panthers in the last half of the period. With less than 40 seconds to go Phil Wendecker was able to deflect the puck in the net off of a shot from Tyler Layle. Andrew Frank received the secondary assist on the goal to improve his point streak to 13 games, as Davenport took a 2-1 lead into the locker room.
 
The Panthers used the momentum early in the second period to increase their advantage to two goals as Cody Walsh blasted a shot from the point to beat the Western Michigan net minder. The second period was back-and-forth with neither team able to sustain pressure in the other teams zone for a long period, and DU took a 3-1 lead into the second intermission.
 
Early in the third period DU came out firing as Frank added a goal for the Panthers less than three minutes into the third period. Matt Ogden continued the scoring for the Panthers as Wendecker gave him a nice backhand in slot to but DU up 5-1. After Davenport took the four-goal lead, Patrick Carney came in to the game, to relieve Phil Graveline in net, to make his first collegiate appearance. Carney was able to hold the Stallions scoreless as DU won the game 5-1.
 
After the head coach Phil Sweeney talked about his thoughts on the game, "We started slow once again which is starting to be a habit and we are definitely going to have to clean that up. The guys battled when we get behind and there is a couple things we need to work on, and we have a big challenge from here on out. Next week we have Lindenwood and we are going to have to play our best game of the year on Friday and we are definitely going to be working on them all week on film, the guys need to be prepared."
 
Cody Walsh talked about what the team did defensively in the game, "It came down to the veteranship that we have, and Bo Jacobs is a huge key to us and leading the back end. We just try to be as physical as we can and move the puck up the ice, and that is the main thing Bill McSween harps on in practice with us."
 
The Panthers will hit the ice again next weekend as they host No. 14 Lindenwood next weekend for a two game series at Patterson Ice Center.
 
Post-Game Notes
 
The Panthers are on a seven game winning streak and have won all six games in the 2014 part of their season. Andrew Frank tallied a goal and an assist to move his team leading point total to 33 on the season and has a 13 game point streak going. Phil Graveline gets the win for the Panthers and is now 11-7 on the season, while Patrick Carney made his first collegiate appearance in the final 9:49 of the game.
 
DI Ice Hockey Contact: David Gerhart | 616-554-5045 | dgerhart@davenport.edu
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