FRISCO, Texas. - With all the juices flowing in their system, the Panthers were set for their first game of the ACHA Division I National Tournament. It was not going to be an easy contest, going up against a hot Bronchos team.
 
Saturday, March 23
Final Score: #7 Davenport-8 | #10 Central Oklahoma-3
 
ANSWERING THE BELL
Davenport looked to set the tone in period number one, and after a few good chances early on, they were finally rewarded. Brad Reitter beat Nick Henry eight minutes in to give the Panthers the early lead. Just a couple of minutes later, after Nathaniel Nickelson and Alyx Fonseca were stoned by Henry, Keegan Miller found the rebound and slammed it home to put the Panthers up by a pair. Shortly thereafter, captain Alex Hulford continued his impressive senior season with a snipe to give DU a three-goal lead.
 
Only a couple of minutes later, Nickelson would rip home a tally of his own, and Henry's night was done after allowing four goals. Cody Campbell would come in net for the Bronchos and just 42 seconds later, Hulford blasted home a one-timer to put the Panthers up by five.
 
The Bronchos' Grayden Hohl was able to get Central Oklahoma on the board with a couple minutes remaining in the period, but the Panthers were comfortable heading into the first intermission, up 5-1 after 20 minutes.
 
FURTHERING THE LEAD
In period number two, the Bronchos came back with a little more offense, but the Panthers' Jason Rhynold shut the door. Austin Neirynck scored a short-handed goal to give DU a five-goal lead once again. The Panthers would continue their onslaught as Sam Basich added another for the Panthers with just under two minutes to play to give DU a 7-1 lead.
 
Nial Mills was able to slip in another one for the Bronchos, however the Panthers still held a five-goal lead heading into the third period.
 
MOVING ON
Davenport quickly jumped at an opportunity off the opening faceoff in the third, as Luke Cowan scored just eight seconds in to give the Panthers a six-goal cushion for the second time. Davenport went on cruise control the rest of the way, and despite a goal from Central Oklahoma's Donald Danroth, the Panthers would move on after winning 8-3.
 
WHO'S NEXT?
The Panthers will take on Michigan-Dearborn in the next round. This will be the third meeting between the two, as each team claimed victory in a weekend set at Patterson back in December. The Wolverines finished the season ranked number two in the nation, with only two losses to their name.
 
Justin Dunn and Billy Brock are the top guns for UM-Dearborn, both leading the team in points with 50. Thomas Proudlock has had an incredible season, going 20-1-1, with a 1.53 GAA and .938 save percentage. 
 
The Wolverines made their way to the quarterfinals following a convincing 6-1 win over Oklahoma, where Michael Hodgson and Tyler Groat each scored twice for the Wolverines.
 
The Panthers are 20-8-2 all-time against the Wolverines. This is the first time the two teams will meet in the national tournament. The game will take place Sunday at the Comerica Center, with a 6 p.m. ET (5 p.m. CT) start time.
 
Story by: Tyler Kuehl
 
Picture credit: Kelly Stafford