Written by Tyler Kuehl

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. – The D3 hockey team was back in action this weekend, taking on a familiar foe, the Knights from Calvin University. DU was looking to bounce back after a tough loss at home to Northwood, while the Knights were planning on building off a win over Notre Dame last weekend.
 
In a penalty-filled game, the Panthers were unable to cash-in on their man advantages, as they found themselves in the sin bin even more than their opponents. The Panthers kept it close heading into the third period, but three Calvin goals in the final 20 minutes sent Davenport on their way to their second loss in a row.
 
QUICK STATS
 
Final Score: Davenport 3 – Calvin 6
Power Play: DU (0/8) | CU (2/10)
Records: DU (3-4, 3-2) | CU (2-1, 1-1)
 
NOTABLE PERFORMANCES
 
Aiden Dion led the Panthers with a goal and an assist, while Tyler Heyboer continued to produce with a goal on Friday.
 
BACK AND FORTH
 
The Panthers found themselves in penalty trouble early, and Calvin was able to take advantage. While Dion was in the box, Ben Morse scored his second goal of the season to put the Knights ahead just a few minutes into the contest.
 
Neither team found the back of the net for the rest of the first period. However, DU got themselves back in the game early in period two. Less than two minutes into the period, Dion would score his third goal of the season, with help from Cole Ott and Parker Schmitt, to tie the game at one.
 
However, not too long after, Mitchell Niesar would score his first goal of the season put the Knights back in the lead.
 
Once again, DU would answer right back. Christopher Heath set up Dion for his second goal of the game just before the five-minute mark of the period to tie the game once again.
 
Despite the Panthers valiant effort, Calvin would take a lead into the break. Niesar would score his second of the game, second of the period, and the Knights would lead 3-2 into the final frame.
 
KNIGHTS ON THE CHARGE
 
In period three, Calvin would start to take over Just 56 seconds in, Andre Kilpela put home his second goal of the season to put the Knights up by two. Just over a minute later, Kilpela scored again give the Knights a 5-2 lead.
 
DU would cut into the Knight lead with Heyboer's sixth goal of the season, but a late goal from Hayden Heys would seal DU's fate, as the Panthers would fall to Knights by a final score of 6-3.
 
WHO'S NEXT?
 
DU will get a second chance at the Knights on Saturday night, this time on home ice. Puck drop for the second half of the back-to-back will be 6:30 p.m. at Patterson.