Written by Tyler Kuehl
 
MIDLAND, Mich. – One week removed from sweeping UM-Flint, D3 hockey was back on the road Friday night, as they took on another MCHC East opponent, the Timberwolves from Northwood University. Heading into the weekend, the Panthers had not won in six meetings against Northwood.
 
The Panthers jumped out to an early lead, but the Timberwolves would answer with two quick goals to have a lead after the first period. However, DU would answer back with four unanswered goals, and go on to defeat Northwood for the first time in almost four years.
 
QUICK STATS
 
Final Score: Davenport 5 – Northwood 2
Power Play: DU (1/5), NU (0/7)
Records: DU (3-2, 3-0), NU (0-3, 0-3)
 
NOTABLE PERFORMANCES
 
Alexander Brown continued his incredible run as of late with two more goals. George Hangas also had two points on the night for the Panthers, and Tyler Heyboer led the team with a goal and two assists in the game. Jordan Tafel picked up his second win of the season in goal for DU.
 
THE EARLY LEAD
 
DU looked to take away the home-ice advantage away from the Timberwolves, and they did just that. Over seven minutes into the game, Andrew Papcunik scored his second goal of the season, with the help of Aiden Dion and Cole Ott, to give the Panthers the early lead.
 
THE QUICK TURNAROUND
 
However, the Panthers would not hold onto the lead for long. Less than five minutes later, Josh Roring scored his first of the season for Northwood to bring the game back to level. Less than two minutes after that, it would be Matt Hensley scoring his team-leading third goal of the season to put the Timberwolves out in front, and they would carry the 2-1 lead into the intermission.
 
TAKING OVER
 
In period two, Davenport came out flying, and they looked to their guy who has been hot lately. Brown scored back-to-back goals minutes apart around the halfway mark of the middle stanza to put the Panthers back out in front, with assists coming from Heyboer and Charlie Bonser.
 
With only a couple minutes remaining, and the Panthers on the power play, Heyboer picked up his third point of the period with his third goal of the season to give the Panthers a two-goal lead heading into the third period.
 
Tafel and the DU defense held off the Northwood offense in the final period, and late goal from Hangas iced the game, and gave the Panthers their third win in a row by a 5-2 final score.
 
WHO'S NEXT?
 
Davenport will complete their weekend set against the Timberwolves at Patterson on Saturday night. The game is being promoted as a White Out, encouraging all fans to wear white at the game to cheer on their Panthers. Puck drop is at 8:30 p.m.