Written by Tyler Kuehl

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. – For the first time in 14 days, the D1 hockey team took to the ice, as they took on the University of Delaware in a matinee meeting on Sunday. The Panthers had not played since defating Aquinas on the 6^th, while the Blue Hens were trying to bounce back from a back-to-back losses against Adrian on Friday and Saturday.
 
It did not take long for Davenport to get into the swing of things. As they outchanced the Blue Hens for the majority of the contest. They had depth players scoring, and netminder Jason Rhynold in top form, which led to the Panthers picking up their second win in a row.
 
QUICK STATS
 
Final Score: Davenport 3 – Delaware 1
Shots: DU 24 | UD 26
Power Play: DU (0/1) | UD (0/2)
Records: DU (3-2) | UD (5-5)
 
NOTABLE PERFROMANCES
 
Picking up his third win of the season, Rhynold stopped 25 of the 26 shots he faced. Marc Anderson scored his second goal of the season, and Colton Crabtree picked up his first point as a Panther.
 
SHAKING OFF THE RUST
 
The game began with good flow to the game, as both teams were getting chances in the early going, and Davenport did not look like a team that was off for two weeks. Rhynold made a couple of nice stops early to keep the game scoreless.
 
A little over the halfway mark DU was able to break the ice. Crabtree streaked down the left wing and fired a pass across to Devin Burchett who then tapped the puck passed Delaware goaltender Chris Ponticello to put the Panthers in the lead.
 
A PERFECT SHOT, A PERFECT TIP
 
Early in the second period, DU was getting quality chances in the Delaware end. Brad Reitter forced a turnover inside the blueline, and then Austin Neirynck walked in and put the puck underneath the crossbar and in for his first of the season to put the Panthers up by two.
 
With less than five minutes to play in the period. Walker Aurand fired a shot from the point that looked like it was going wide of the goal. However, Anderson reached out and deflected the shot back towards the goal, and the puck slid between the legs of Ponticello and in to give DU a 3-0 lead.
 
GETTING ON THE BOARD
 
After the Panthers took what looked like a commanding lead, the Blue Hens answered back with a goal in the final two minutes. While there was a scramble to the side of the Davenport goal, Jack Zimmer knocked the loose puck across the crease right where Michael Nisky was standing, and he smacked home his third goal of the season to shrink the Panther lead to two heading into the third period.
 
SHUTTING THE DOOR
 
Delaware smelled an opportunity to get back in the game, and found a second wind in the final 20 minutes. The Blue Hens outshot the Panthers 11-1 in the third period, but great defensive play and outstanding saves by Rhynold held Delaware at bay, and DU would go on to win by a final score of 3-1.
   
WHO'S NEXT?
 
DU travels down to Illinois next weekend for a showcase in Chicago. Four of the best teams in division one will be present, including the Panthers' first opponent, UNLV. The Rebels are currently ranked 10^th in the country with a 10-1 record, and are coming off a sweep of Midland University. This will be the first ever meeting between the two schools.
 
Puck drop at Fifth Third Arena will be on Saturday the 26^th and 4 p.m. CST.