Written by Tyler Kuehl
GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. – Four weeks removed from their last game before Christmas, the D1 hockey team took back to the ice for the second semester of the 2019-20 season. Their opponents were the Robert Morris (Ill.) Eagles, a team the Panthers swept down in Illinois last season, and who had lost one of their last six games before the break.
The game was sloppy to start, but there was certainly plenty of action. Robert Morris jumped out in front, but a couple of returning Panthers made immediate impacts in their first games back in the lineup. A pair of second goals gave the Panthers lead, but not before a late period tally from the Eagles set up an exciting third. Davenport would find the back of the net one more time, and it would prove to be the difference as Davenport was able to earn their fifth win over a ranked opponent this season.
QUICK STATS
Final Score: Davenport 3 - Robert Morris (Ill.) 2
Shots: DU 31 | RMU 30
Power Play: DU (1/4) | RMU (0/3)
Records: #9 DU (11-5) | #20 RMU (10-9-4)
NOTABLE PERFORMANCES
Luke Cowan returned in a big way, leading the Panthers with two goals, including the game-winner.
Jason Rhynold was solid again in net for DU, stopping 28 of 30 en route to his ninth win of the season.
SOARING TO THE LEAD
The Eagles had a couple of quick chances early, with Rhynold having to be sharp early. RMU had the majority of the chances in the opening period, out-shooting the Panthers 11-6. However, DU had a great chance after
Luke Cowan had a wide-open net, but elected to pass, turning the puck over in the process. That gave an opportunity for Dom Manochio to send Sam Mancini on a breakaway, and he buried his eighth of the season to give the Eagles the 1-0 lead.
NOT-SO NEW FACES
The Panthers came out with a little more pep in their step in period two, creating all sorts of chances in the Robert Morris end. They would be rewarded with a power play which they would convert, as
Luke Cowan floated a wrister into the back of the net for his first goal since returning to the lineup.
Later on in the period,
Alyx Fonseca would rush the puck into the Eagles' end, dragged the puck towards the goal and slid it under the RMU defenseman and goaltender Chris Mallon to give DU their first lead of the game.
LATE BOUNCE
The Eagles would start to return the play back to the Panthers as the period wore on, and it would pay off in the dying seconds of the frame. After a failed Davenport clearing attempt, Dylan Holt would fire a weak shot towards the goal. The puck ricocheted off of Rhynold, off of
Walker Aurand, and in with only nine seconds left to tie the game at two.
EEKING OUT THE WIN
Robert Morris looked to be the team that was going to take the lead, as they earned the first four shots in the opening two minutes of the third period. However, DU would be able to recover, leading to some great end-to-end action. Davenport would find the go-ahead goal after
Ryan Wonfor was stopped by Mallon, and Cowan poked home the rebound with just over nine minutes remaining in regulation.
The Eagles would have a late charge, but Rhynold and the Panthers battened down the hatches to pick up the win by a final score of 3-2.
WHO'S NEXT?
The Panthers will have a quick turnaround as they hit the road for a rare mid-week game on Tuesday. They will meet down in Kalamazoo with Western Michigan for the third time this season. The Panthers beat the Stallions twice before the semester break, winning 4-3 on Dec. 4 and 6-3 on Dec. 7.
Puck drop at Wings West is set for 7:30 p.m.
