Box Score EDWARDSVILLE, Ill. - Opening night for the men's Division II hockey team started off slow but reached a fever pitch late in the third period at SIUE on Friday night. The Cougars built a 4-0 lead with under four minutes remaining in the contest before the Panthers turned it on. Davenport scored three times in a minute and a half but the Cougars held on for a 4-3 win over the visiting Panthers.

The Cougars scored once on the power play in the second period and added an empty net goal with 3:42 left in the contest before the Panthers mounted a comeback. Zac Bodziak scored on the power play with 2:58 to play with assists from Daniel Swink and Blake Dameron. DU cut the lead to 4-2 just 55 seconds later as Swink notched a power play goal with Dameron having another assist. 27 seconds later it was Swink again at even strength from Donald Sund and Branden Burton to make things very interesting.

Christian Thompson got the start in net for Davenport and made 26 saves including 11 in the second period. Davenport had 43 shots on goal as Jake Davis made 40 saves for SIUE.