GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. – The Panthers hosted Western Michigan University in a mini-series and swept the Broncos. Davenport outscored Western Michigan 11-5 over the two games and increased their win streak to four games. The second game was coined the Black and Blue Game, which benefitted the Helen DeVos Children's Hospital. Ian Thompson led DU in scoring during the two games, scoring a combined three goals.
 
Game 1 (Thursday, December 7)
Final Score: Davenport 5, Western Michigan University 3
Location: Grand Rapids, Mich.
Records: Davenport 9-8, Western Michigan 9-11

GOALS PER PERIOD
1^st Period: DU-2 | WMU-1
2^nd Period: DU-2 | WMU-1
3^rd Period: DU-1 | WMU-1
Final: DU-5 | WMU-3

HOW IT HAPPENED
-I. Thompson got Davenport on the board first in the opening period. He scored 8:26 into the game on the power play, assisted by Joey Ogden. Shortly after the Broncos tied up the game 1-1 with a goal 8:58 into the game. Davenport held a 2-1 lead at the end of the first period after Chris Corgan scored in the 18^th minute.
-The Panthers scored two more unanswered goals in the second period to build up their lead to 4-1. Luke Cowan scored on an unassisted goal in the 10^th minute and Ogden scored just 73 seconds after him. Western Michigan scored in the 18^th minute to cut the lead down to two goals.
-The Broncos scored first in the final period and put some pressure on Davenport. The Panthers led 4-3 after the Western Michigan goal in the 13^th minute of the period. I. Thompson scored his second goal of the game on an empty net with 29 seconds left in the game, assisted by Cowan.
-I. Thompson scored two goals to lead DU in scoring.
-Five different players recorded an assist in the game, Adam Goudelock, Sherman Mowery, I. Thompson, Ogden and Cowan.
-Jason Rhynold spent the whole night in net and recorded 33 saves.
 
Game 2 (Saturday, December 9)
Final Score: Davenport 6, Western Michigan University 2
Location: Grand Rapids, Mich.
Records: Davenport 10-8, Western Michigan 9-12

GOALS PER PERIOD
1^st Period: DU-3 | WMU-1
2^nd Period: DU-0 | WMU-0
3^rd Period: DU-3 | WMU-1
Final: DU-6 | WMU-2

HOW IT HAPPENED
-The second matchup between the two times was in front of an electric crowd. Davenport against scored the initial goal of the game, this time Corgan netted the goal just 64 seconds into the game, assisted by Alex Hulford and Sam Basich. After Western Michigan tied up the game in the eighth minute Davenport scored two more unanswered goals to lead 3-1 at the end of the period.
-Neither team scored in the second period. However, a panel of glass broke with 4:03 left in the second period and the two teams had to wait some time for the glass to be repaired.
-Davenport broke up the game in the third period. I. Thompson scored during the fourth minute to give DU a 4-1 lead. Cowan followed that up with a goal of his own during the eighth minute and Davenport led by four goals. Lastly, Mowery netted a goal in the 16^th minute to give DU their largest lead of the game. Western Michigan snuck a goal in late during the final period, but was too little too late. Davenport swept the Broncos!
-Six different players scored a goal in the game for DU, Tyler Layle, Corgan, Ogden, I. Thompson, Cowan and Mowery.
-Hulford assisted on both I. Thompson's and Corgan's goals.
-Nate Ferris played all 60 minutes as goalie and stopped 25 of the 27 shots he faced.
 
UP NEXT
The Panthers play one more mini-series before the new year hits. They will host Robert Morris College (Ill.) on December 15 and 16 in the Patterson Ice Center.
 
Story by: Devin Steiner
 
Picture credit: Tyler Triemstra