GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. – D1 Hockey played the first two of four meetings this season with Calvin during the week. Calvin, in its second season in division one, has had a couple of close games against top teams, but no one near the level the Panthers are at. Davenport was trying to continue a new winning streak after splitting with Oakland last weekend.
 
Wednesday, November 14
Final Score: Davenport 5 – Calvin 2
Records: #7 DU (13-2-1), CC (2-4-2)
 
SCRAPPY START
Davenport wanted to set the tone early against the Knights, and gathered the bulk of the chances in the opening minutes. After a couple of close calls, and a couple big stops from Calvin's Alex Gross, the Panthers finally broke through as Austin Thompson picked up his 14^th of the season from Alex Hulford and Tyler Ploeg. The Panthers continued to fire an assault at the Calvin net, but with Gross and the rest of the Knights' defense getting in the way, DU struggled to find the back of the net. Calvin did not get a whole lot of chances throughout the contest, but had a big chance in the latter of the first. After Cory Bussing turned the puck over behind his own net Christian Gums fed a pass to Austin Huizenga, and the Calvin captain slapped a shot that beat a screened Jason Rhynold, and the teams were tied at one. The Panthers would not allow that goal to sink in. A couple minutes later, DU won an offensive zone faceoff, Sam Basich knocked the puck loose, and Chris Corgan directed the puck to Ploeg, and Ploeg unleashed a bomb that Gross had no chance of stopping, and the Panthers regained the lead with less than five minutes to play in the period. DU outshot the Knights 16-6 through 20 minutes of play.
 
FUELING THE FIRE
Davenport looked to carry the momentum into period two, and were given a power play just minutes into the middle frame. The first powerplay unit buzzed around the Knights, and with Nick Bontomasi parked in front of Gross, Keegan Miller was able to fire a shot through the screen and into the back of the net. The Panthers were up by two, and looking for more, but took a penalty just before the five-minute mark. Calvin negated their own power play after Sam Dexter went off, leaving a lot of ice with the teams playing four aside. Hulford caused a turnover at the DU blueline, and gave the puck to Miller. As he came across the blueline, Miller fed a beautiful pass to a streaking Alyx Fonseca, who made a magnificent move to get around Gross and buried the biscuit, finishing off a highlight reel goal, and giving DU a 4-1 lead. Davenport would not give Calvin a chance to catch their breath, as on the ensuing shift, Marc Anderson found a loose puck at the side of Knights' net. After a couple of whacks at the puck, Anderson finally slipped it through Gross for his second of the season. Davenport led Calvin by four, well before the halfway mark of the contest. Calvin would get a goal before the end of the period as Nick Workman fired home a power play goal, but the Panthers would lead after two periods by a trio of goals.
 
No scoring occurred in the third period, thanks to a number of stellar saves by Gross and Rhynold holding the fort on his own end. Davenport ended up outshooting Calvin 48-18, and took the first game of the home-and-home by a final score of 5-2.
 
NOTABLE PERFROMANCES
Rhynold picked up his eighth win of the season. The top line of Miller, Austin Thompson, and Hulford combined for six points, and Corgan had another two-assist game.
 
Friday, November 16
Final Score: Davenport 5 – Calvin 0
Records: #7 DU (14-2-1), CC (2-5-2)
 
A CRAWLING START
The opening period featured the two teams unable to find the back of the net. Rhynold and Darin Fox looked sharp early for their respective teams. However, late in the period, Gums went off for hooking, putting DU's juggernaut of a power play a chance to break the tie. The first unit went to work, and Austin Thompson was able to rip home his 15^th goal of the season, and Davenport led the Knights by one after 20 minutes of play.
 
The second period saw neither team scratch the scoreboard. Calvin had three power plays to the Panthers four. Yet, the Knights were still in the game, only trailing DU 1-0 after two periods of play.
 
A SPRINTING FINISH
Head Coach Phil Sweeney understood that Davenport could not afford to let Calvin hang around, so he inspired his troops to come out with a spirited third period if they wanted to earn the sweep. The message was received in spades. Captain Hulford tickled the twine, for the 20^th time this season, just over 90 seconds into the period. The Panthers were given a power play just minutes later, and once again the top unit was able to convert. Mike Gessler and Miller were able to set up Fonseca for his fifth power play goal of the season. Davenport was now up three on the Knights less than five minutes into the third. The Knights would continue their penalty troubles as Cal Erdman took a minor, and, tell me if you've heard this before, the Panther power play took the play to the Calvin net. Miller scored, from Ploeg and Goudelock, to give DU their third man-advantage goal of the game. Miller added his 21^st of the season just a couple minutes later. Davenport would take their sixth straight win over Calvin by a final score of 5-0.
 
NOTABLE PERFORMANCES
Rhynold picked up his second shutout, and ninth win of the season. The Miller-Hulford-Thompson line combined for ten points, with Miller leading the team with five points. With Miller and Hulford's goals, the duo now sits second and third in the country in goals.
 
WHO'S NEXT?
The Panthers will be off for Thanksgiving; then will go right back to work as they prepare to take on #6 Illinois. The Fighting Illini split last year's games with the Panthers, and the two will meet once again at the Illini Ice Center. The first game will Friday, November 30 at 8 p.m. ET (7 p.m. CT), and Saturday night's puck drop will be at 8 p.m. ET as well.
 
Story by: Tyler Kuehl
 
Picture credit: Alexis Hoffman