Written by Tyler Kuehl
 
BYRON CENTER, Mich. – For the first time this season, the D1 hockey team played within the Michigan borders. However, they traveled a little south of Grand Rapids to take on the Aquinas Saints. Aquinas had been a successful D3 program, and went 25-10 playing both D2 and D1 teams last season.
 
Despite shorthanded goals from Ian Thompson and Adam Goudelock, penalties hurt the Panthers in the end. 11 infractions in total gave Aquinas plenty of opportunities. Two power play goals by the Saints kept the Panthers out of reach, as Aquinas won their first game as a D1 program.
 
QUICK STATS
 
Final Score: #9 Davenport 2 – Aquinas 5
Shots: DU 40, AC 28
Power Play: DU (0/3), AC (2/8)
Records: DU (1-2), AC (1-0)
 
SHORT SCORING
 
The Panthers got into penalty trouble early in the first period, but were able to kill off their first two penalties. On their third penalty, Thompson was able to put home his first of the season to put the Panthers out in front.
 
THE SAINTS COME MARCHING
 
Late in the first period, Aquinas was able to strike back, as Alex Klekotka scored his first with the Saints to tie the game at one.
 
Just passed the five-minute mark of the period two, Brandon Rozeman beat DU's Alexander Rogers to give the Saints their first lead of the night. Right before the 10-minute mark of the period, Klekotka scored his second of the game, this time on the power play, to give Aquinas a two-goal lead.
 
Goudelock was able to score his second of the season to get DU back into the game, but Nicholas Long helped give the Saints some insurance with just a handful of minutes remaining in the second period.
 
Michael Curran tallied one more goal for Aquinas In the third period, and Aquinas cruised to the 5-2 win.
 
WHO'S NEXT?
 
The Panthers come home to Patterson Ice Center for the first time this season, and will take on the Saints in the second half of the back-to-back. Game time is set for 6:05 p.m.