Davenport Athletic Network

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. – The D1 hockey team will return the ice on Friday night face off against Eastern Michigan and will conclude a four game home stand to open 2014 on Saturday against Eastern Michigan. The Panthers are coming of a sweep of Kent State and will look to continue a good start to the second half of the season against Eastern Michigan. The first will be on Friday at 8:30 p.m. followed by a 5:30 p.m. puck drop on Sunday. Both games can be seen live on the Davenport Athletic Network with Tom Biondo on the call.
 
Date:  January 10-11, 2014  
Location: Patterson Ice Center  
Broadcast Coverage: Davenport Athletic Network
Broadcast Talent: Thomas Biondo
Twitter: @DU_D1Hockey | @DUAthletics
 
SCOUTING EASTERN MICHIGAN:
 
The Eagles enter the weekend with a 12-16-0-1 record entering the weekend as head coach Kevin Gee is in his 18th season at the helm of the team. Leading the way for Eastern Michigan is Bryan Kozlowski with 36 points and 15 goals. Nick Taurence returns to the team after he missed the last few of games the first semester as he traveled to Italy with Team USA for the World University Games. Taurence has 29 assists on the year along with four goals.
 
In net, Gee looks to his senior net minder Andrew Duff who is posting a 4.64 goals against average in 23 games played for a 9-12 record. Duff also has made 771 saves on the year and a .88 save percentage.  
 
LAST MEETING:
 
The Panthers and Eagles met earlier this season before the Thanksgiving break on November 23. DU was able to jump out to early lead as Phil Wendecker put the team on the board in the first period followed by a goal by Andrew Frank. Eastern Michigan was able to get on the board before the end of the period to make it a 2-1 game.
 
In the final two periods the Panthers controlled the game scoring two goals in the second period and added one more in the third. Matt Ogden scored two goals Bo Jacobs added another one. Matt Kaludis picked the win in net making 38 saves in the game.
 
WEEKEND RECAP:
 
After having the previous three weeks off for semester break, the Panthers hit the ice this past weekend against Kent State and were able to start the 2014 portion of their season on a high note by picking up two wins. In the first game DU was able to win the game 4-2 as they dominated the game throughout as they out shot the Golden Flashes 56-26.
 
In the second game, Davenport came out strong again as they won the game 6-2. It was a tight game until the third period when Cody Walsh broke the game open and DU started to pour it on. The Panther power play was on fire going 4-for-4 in the game and Kody Polin and Chris Eckler scored their first collegiate goals in the final minutes of the game to help secure the game for the Panthers.
 
THE PANTHERS:
 
DU has brought in some more offensive firepower at the break in Kody Polin and Chris Eckler, who both have made big impacts to start their careers. The player with the hot stick right now is Andrew Frank as he has nine-game point streak heading into the weekend, which started against the Panthers opponent this weekend in Eastern Michigan. Robert Kleiman is leading the team 28 points and 21 assists.
 
In net, Phil Graveline and Matt Kaludis have both been great for head coach Phil Sweeney. Graveline has 9-7 record while Kaludis is 6-2 on the year. Kaludis had a big impact on game with his stick in the first game again Kent State, as he was able to give DU plenty of scoring chances with great stretch passes up ice.
 
GLCHL OUTLOOK:
 
With Oakland and Adrian still off for break, the Panthers were able to move closer to both teams. DU is now tied with Oakland for second place with 33 points each. However, both teams are still nine points behind Adrian who leads the conference with 42 points. Eastern Michigan is in fourth place with 17 points, followed by Western Michigan with 13 points. Michigan-Dearborn and Kent State still sit in sixth and seventh with 12 and six points, respectively.
 
ACHA RANKINGS:
Preseason Ranking (9/20)                 10th
Week 1 (9/27)                                       11th
Week 2 (10/4)                                       12th
Week 3 (10/11)                                    12th
Week 4 (10/18)                                    12th
Week 5 (10/24)                                    14th
Week 6 (10/29)                                    14th
Week 7 (11/5)                                       15th
Week 8 (11/13)                                    15th
Week 9 (11/20)                                    18th
Week 10 (11/27)                                  16th
Week 11 (12/5)                                    12th
Week 12 (12/11)                                  13th
Week 13 (12/17)                                  13th
Week 14 (1/8)                                       13th                                            
               
 
DI Ice Hockey Contact: David Gerhart | 616-554-5045 | dgerhart@davenport.edu
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