Written by Tyler Kuehl

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. – The D2 Hockey team opened their 2019-20 season at home against the Miami RedHawks on Friday night. DU was coming off a season that saw them finish one win away from a national tournament berth. The RedHawks finished their season the same way, and were coming off a pair of losses against Sault College to start their season.
 
DU started really well, but penalties got the better of them in the second period, and found themselves trailing by three heading into the third. Despite a valiant effort to tie the game, the Panthers would come just a little short, losing to the visitors, 5-3.
 
QUICK STATS
 
Final Score: Davenport 3 – Miami (OH) 5
Shots: DU 39 – MU 36
Power Play: DU (0/6), MU (2/7)
Records: DU (0-1), MU (1-2)
 
NOTABLE PERFORMANCES
 
Despite giving up four goals, Drake Deering made 31 saves in net. Kyle Mazur led the team with a goal and an assist.
 
A GOOD START
 
The Panthers did not show any signs of rust when the puck dropped, as they began to pepper Miami netminder Colt Hanks on the opening shift. They were finally rewarded just before the five-minute mark, Adam Hulsey found a loose puck in the neutral zone, dropped it off for Jeff Rahilly who picked the top corner to score the first goal of the season, and put the Panthers out in front.
 
AN ODD ANSWER
 
The RedHawks were able to find their offensive footing following the DU goal, and were able to earn a power play late in the period. Deering made an initial save on a shot by Torsten Lee, and scrambled back to find the rebound. When doing so, he kicked the puck to the corner, and Jack Lipovich found it for Miami. He then threw it towards the goal, and the puck glanced off a DU player and into the net. Despite the odd fashion, Miami had tied the game at one.
 
Miami took the momentum from the end of the first period into the second. Just 31 seconds, Daniel McGeever found a loose puck and blasted a knuckler passed Deering to give the RedHawks their first lead of the game.
 
ROBBING THEM BLIND
 
DU looked to answer right back. Shortly thereafter, Clint Loney found himself on a breakaway, with Trevor Murray coming right behind him. Loney passed the puck over to Murray for what looked like a sure tap-in, but Miami's Hanks stretched his left leg to make the big save, and keep the RedHawks in the lead.
 
OPENING THE GAME UP
 
With the momentum well on their side, Miami continued to take the pressure to DU. Noah Tilton picked off a pass in the neutral zone, walked in, and scored his first of the season just passed the seven-minute mark of the period. Just over two minutes later, while on the power play, the Panthers had a bad line change, giving Miami a 3-on-0 break. A Joey Jenkins one-timer gave the RedHawks a 4-1 lead heading into the intermission.
 
 CLIMBING BACK IN
 
Despite the deficit, the Panthers would not quit. Just over five minutes into the final frame, Mazur rushed the puck into the Miami zone. His first shot stopped, his second shot, while falling, was blocked. Then, Jacob Demeter came out of nowhere to pick up the loose puck, and he beat Hanks to get DU back on the board.
 
With a little over five minutes in regulation, Davenport would strike again, this time it would be Mazur burying the biscuit, and DU was within one.
 
Despite their efforts, Davenport could not find the equalizer, as Zach Katz's empty-netter sealed the deal, and the RedHawks picked up their first win of the season by a final score of 5-3.
   
WHO'S NEXT?
 
The Panthers will get a second crack at the RedHawks on Saturday night. Puck drop at Patterson Ice Center is set for 6:50 p.m.