GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. – After winning their last two games, Davenport looked to make it three in a row for the second time this season. They took on a familiar opponent in Grand Valley State, a team they haven't lost to in four years.

#14 Davenport vs. Grand Valley State
Final Score: DU – 15 l GVSU – 8
Records: DU (8-1) l GVSU (3-2)

The game started rather auspiciously for the Panthers, as Cade Butch took the opening face-off, ran in and scored seven seconds into the game for the visitors. The lead was short lived though as Josh Jubenville scored his 11th of the season to tie the game. A few minutes later, Jarred Riley was able to fire one in for the Panthers and give them the lead. Less than two minutes later, Dylan Riley made a wonderful pass over to Jake Wilson and he was able to score his fourth of the season. Dylan Riley would put in a goal of his own just over five minutes later. Late in the quarter, Joe Lopez created a turnover in the Davenport end, ran it into Laker territory, and was able to feather a pass to Jake Hodges who buried his first of the year with less than three seconds remaining in the quarter. Davenport led 5-1 after the first quarter.

The second quarter was much of the same for Davenport, as Bryan Larocque was able to tap in a pass from Jarred Riley to put the Panthers up by five. Jake Parry scored for Grand Valley to cut into the DU lead. Jubenville scored another highlight reel goal for the Panthers a couple minutes later. After receiving a pass from Dylan Riley, faked a shot, ducked underneath the stick of a GVSU defender, and sneaked a shot past goaltender Jackson Iciek for his 12th of the year. Dylan Riley tacked on another before the end of the half, as the Panthers led the Lakers at the break, 8-2.

One of the issues the past couple of games for DU has been their second half play. They almost lost big leads in their past two games against Western Michigan and Dayton. The Panthers looked to reverse that trend against Grand Valley, and boy did they ever.

Blake McDonald was able to score his seventh of the season to start off the scoring in the third quarter. On the ensuing face-off, Hodges took the ball off the X, made a long pass to Larocque who then fired it backdoor to Dylan Riley who easily tapped it into the Laker net to put the Panthers up 10-2. The two teams traded goals in the latter half of the third. Zack Crawford scored a pair for Grand Valley, while Larocque added two more for Davenport. Parry would end the scoring in quarter number three with his second of the game, and the Panthers led the Lakers by seven heading into the final 15 minutes.

While a man-up early in the fourth, Parry would score again for Grand Valley. Wilson would score his second for the Panthers to regain the seven-goal cushion. Back-to-back goals a minute apart by the Lakers' Dylan Salyer and Dalton Reiche cut the Panther lead to five, and it looked like the Panthers were falling back on their heels. However, any indications of a Grand Valley comeback were thrashed by Dylan Riley, as he was able to net his 33rd goal of the season. A goal by Jarred Riley halfway through the final frame would be the final blow, and the Panthers came away with the win, 15-8.

One of the factors in the win was the play of goaltender Jack Huffman, who made several huge saves for the Panthers.

"It was good to see him have a great night," Head Coach Chris Esquivel said following the win. "He's a huge leader on defense, and really motivates the guys."

Esquivel also praised his defenders for their play in Davenport's own end, "To have defenders with great sticks and great awareness, it really sparks our team in transition."

The win is DU's fourth straight against Grand Valley, and improves their record to 10-6 all-time against the Lakers.

UP NEXT

Davenport continues their conference schedule Saturday against CCLA opponent Minnesota. The Golden Gophers are currently 3-6 on the season, 1-1 in conference play. They will be on the second half of a back-to-back when they travel to Grand Rapids on Saturday, as they take on Central Michigan Friday night. Game time is set for 3:30 p.m.

Story Credit: Tyler Kuehl