GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. – The Panthers opened the 2018 year by hosting University at Buffalo for a mini-series. Davenport swept the Bulls after 5-4 during both games. Luke Cowan was solid for DU on the weekend, scoring three goals and getting one assist. In addition, the Thompson brothers combined for three goals and three assists. The Panthers completed their fourth sweep of the year and look to carry this momentum against rival Adrian College this Thursday.
 
Game 1 (Friday, January 12)
Final Score: Davenport 5, University at Buffalo 4
Location: Grand Rapids, Mich.
Records: Davenport 11-10, Buffalo 13-9

GOALS PER PERIOD
1^st Period: DU-1 | UB-0
2^nd Period: DU-2 | UB-2
3^rd Period: DU-2 | UB-2
Final: DU-5 | UB-4

HOW IT HAPPENED
-Cowan scored the first goal of 2018 for the Panthers early in the opening period. Just 85 seconds into the game he scored a goal to give DU a 1-0 lead, assisted by Joey Ogden and Adam Goudelock. The Panthers had two power play opportunities during the first period and took a 1-0 lead heading into the second period.
-Both teams scored two goals each during the second period. Davenport scored the first two goals of the period, building their lead up to three goals. Alex Hulford scored the first goal 5:33 into the period and Cowan followed that up with one of his own 46 seconds later. The Bulls scored two unanswered goals in the last five minutes of the period to cut DU's lead down to one heading into the final period.
-Marc Anderson gave the Panthers a two goal lead with a score 2:36 into the final period. Buffalo scored two straight to tie the game late in the period. With only 5:07 left in regulation Chalmers McKeen knocked in the game winning goal in his first-ever game with the Panthers, assisted by Tyler Layle and Hulford.
-Cowan scored two goals to lead DU in the game.
-Ogden assists on two different goals to lead in assists.
-Jason Rhynold spent the afternoon in the net and recorded 12 saves.

Game 2 (Saturday, January 13)
Final Score: Davenport 5, University at Buffalo 4
Location: Grand Rapids, Mich.
Records: Davenport 12-10, Buffalo 13-10

GOALS PER PERIOD
1^st Period: DU-2 | UB-0
2^nd Period: DU-1 | UB-2
3^rd Period: DU-2 | UB-2
Final: DU-5 | UB-4

HOW IT HAPPENED
-Davenport dominated the first period. Ian Thompson got DU on the board extremely quick with a goal just 11 seconds into the game. Only 81 seconds later Everett Thompson scored a goal of his own to give the Panthers a very early two goal lead.
-The Bulls responded in the second period with two goals in the opening five minutes to tie the game. E. Thompson put the Panthers back on top with a score just about halfway through the period, assisted by Mike Gessler and Layle.
-The two teams traded goals in the final period. Buffalo scored first to tie the game 3-3 1:23 into the period. Alyc Fonseca put the Panthers back on top by one goal with a score 4:59 into the period. Shortly after Buffalo scored their fourth goal of the game to knot up the score. With under four minutes to play Cowan scored the game winning goal to give DU the sweep of the Bulls.
-E. Thompson scored two goals on the night.
-Ogden again scored on two different goals (Held a team high four assists over the two games).
-Playing all 60 minutes in net was Nate Ferris, who tallied 14 saves.
 
UP NEXT
Davenport has one game this upcoming week. The Panthers travel to rival Adrian College on Thursday for one game. The previous matchups this season went the Bulldogs way.
 
Story by: Devin Steiner
 
Picture credit: Tyler Triemstra