Box Score Site: Lynchburg, Va. (LaHaye Ice Center)
Score: Davenport 3, Liberty
Records: DU (3-2-0-1), HCC (8-1-0-4)
Next DU event: Friday, Oct. 24 – vs. Adrian – 8:30 p.m.
 
LYNCHBURG, Va. – The 14th ranked Davenport D1 hockey team faced off against ninth ranked Liberty in the second game of the Blue-Gray Cup. Davenport was looking to win back the cup after their win last, but Liberty was able to beat the DU 6-3. For the first time the series for the Blue-Gray Cup the third game of the series will determine the winner of the cup. However, Davenport will have to refocus their attention, as they will face Adrian at the Patterson Ice Center next Friday at 8:30 p.m.
 
After a physical start to the game, neither team was able to find the back of the in the first period until Chris Eckler put Davenport ahead 1-0. However, the lead did not last long as Liberty came right back to tie the game at one goal apiece heading into the first intermission.
 
The Flames used their first period goal to take over the game and score three more goals in the second. Luke Hannon if Liberty scored three of the teams first four goals and tallied five total in the game for the Flames as they took a 4-1 lead heading into the third.
 
Liberty continued to attack Davenport net minder Clayton Brown, who was making his first start at Liberty since transferring from there last winter. The Flames scored an early third period goal to increase their lead to four goals. Stephen Flood started the comeback for Davenport with a shorthanded goal, but the Flames would not go away as they took a 6-2 lead. In last ditch effort to make a comeback Mason Bohlinger tallied a goal with Davenport have a 6-3 three man advantage power play with the goalie pulled, but Liberty came away with a 6-3 win.
 
For the first time since the Blue-Gray Cup started in 2012 the third game of the series will decide who takes the cup, with the first two series wins came in the first two games. The final game to determine the winner of the Blue-Gray Cup will take place on Thursday, November 20 at 8:30 p.m. at Patterson Ice Center.

After the game head coach Phil Sweeney talked about the weekend against Liberty, "We came down to Liberty for a sweep. We are leaving with a split and the series comes back to Patterson for the third game in the series. I like this team and I like our chances. We will move on and focus on Adrian next week, and it will be a battle."
 
Next up for the Panthers next weekend is one game against GLCHL leader Adrian College on Friday at 8:30 p.m. at Patterson Ice Center.
 
DI Ice Hockey Contact: David Gerhart | 616-554-5045 | dgerhart@davenport.edu
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