Box Score Site: Coral Springs, Florida
Score: Davenport 7, Aurora 2
Records: DU (29-6-0-0), AU (31-2-0-0-1)
Next DU event: Wednesday, March 12 – Ole Miss – 3:30 p.m.
 
CORAL SPRINGS, Fla. – The Davenport D3 hockey team struck first and although Aurora tied the game one apiece before the first intermission, DU exploded in the period two scoring five goals and keeping AU to none to post a 7-2 victory on the first day of the ACHA National Tournament Tuesday. The Panthers look to Wednesday when they will they will take on Ole Miss in game two at 3:30 p.m.   
 
Bryon Guerin gave Davenport the one goal advantage six minutes and ten seconds into the first period after receiving a pass from Spencer Bajko and using some impressive stick skills to slip it past Aurora's goalie. Aurora was able to respond at the 7:54 mark to tie the game until the end of period one.
 
Before the Spartans could even make a move in the second, Blake Damerow fed Jordan Steger a pass that he forced to the back of the night just ten seconds into the period, effectively giving DU the clutch 2-1 lead. Damerow followed up eight minutes later to give DU some cushion with another second period goal. Guerin and Damerow both capitalized on goals over the next four minutes to give the Panthers the 5-1 lead with just under eight minutes to play in the second. Daniel Hume scored for the Panthers at the 3:19 mark to take their lead over Aurora even further.

The Spartans managed to finally respond 6:41 into the third with a power-play goal to cut their deficit to four goals. Brandon Madaj responded for the Panthers on the power-play by sniping the back of the net with 8:31 to play in the third. Jake Hambidge and the rest of the defense played disciplined and prepared in the final minutes of period three to complete DU's victory over Aurora.
 
D3 Ice Hockey Contact: Ryan Clarkson | 616-745-9420 | rclarkson1@davenport.edu
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