Box Score UNIVERSITY HEIGHTS, Ohio – The Davenport DI hockey team rebounded from a season opening sweep last weekend with a 6-3 win over John Carroll. Luke McCarthy led the Panthers with three goals in the win to lead DU to their first win of the season. The Panthers and Blue Streaks will close out the weekend series Saturday night a 6 p.m. in University Heights, Ohio.
 
For the first time in the early season Davenport scored the first goal of the game as Luke McCarthy gave the Panthers an early 1-0 lead on the power play with assists from Travis White and Andrew Frank. McCarthy struck again for the Panthers on a rush just after DU killed a penalty. DU took a 2-0 lead into the first intermission.
 
Davenport picked up right where they left off to start the second period as Jordan Simmonds tallied his first goal as a Panther, and Kody Polin added another goal for DU on a feed from Chris Eckler. Davenport took a 4-1 lead, but John Carroll started to make a comeback late in the second period as they scored two quick power play goals to cut the Davenport lead to one heading into the third period.
 
After some back and forth action to start the third period, McCarthy increased the Davenport lead to two goals and also completed his first career collegiate hat trick. Davenport added another insurance goal as Eckler finished up the scoring for the Panthers to win the game 6-3.
 
After the game head coach Phil Sweeney talked about the teams performance, "I really like how our team plays hockey. It is a very fast and physical style, it is a lot of fun to coach and for fans to watch. Luke had a great game tonight scoring three times, and a lot of other guys played really well. We looked great playing full strength and Bill McSween made a great adjustment heading into the third period on the penalty kill. It is always good to get a win, and this was a total team effort."  
 
The Panthers will be back on the ice Saturday evening to close out the weekend series with the Blue Streaks at 6 p.m. in University Heights, Ohio.
 
Post-Game Notes
 
Luke McCarthy tallied the first hat trick for the Panthers since last season against Eastern Michigan in January by Mason Bohlinger. The hat trick by McCarthy was his first in a Davenport uniform. Jordan Simmonds scored his first goal as a Panther and chipped in with two assists. DU moves to 1-1-0-1 on the season.
 
DI Ice Hockey Contact: David Gerhart | 616-554-5045 | dgerhart@davenport.edu
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