Written by Tyler Kuehl
OXFORD, Ohio – In the final game of the Miami (OH) Showcase, the D2 hockey team went against the host team, the RedHawks. The Panthers had tied and lost in their first two games during the weekend, while Miami had lost their first two games of the showcase.
Davenport took the home team out of the game in the first period, filling the RedHawks' net with four goals in the opening 20 minutes. However, Miami made things interesting by coming back within one in the second period. Despite the pressure, Davenport was able to calm down and hold the fort in order to pick up their first win of the semester.
QUICK STATS
Final Score: Davenport 5 – Miami (OH) 3
Shots: DU 41 | MU 34
Power Play: DU (1/3) | MU (0/3)
Records: DU (11-9-3-1) | MU (13-7)
NOTABLE PERFORMANCES
Brenden Bogema played well in goal for the Panthers, making 31 saves and earning his third win of the season.
Clint Loney had another two goal game, and
Spencer Sandberg helped out with three assists.
Tyler Blackburn picked up a goal and an assist, with
Jacob Demeter scoring twice for DU.
JUMPING WELL OUT IN FRONT
Davenport had an excellent start to the game, and their early persistence led to a goal from Loney just over two minutes. Shortly thereafter, it would be Loney helping set up Demeter to put the Panthers quickly up by two.
The RedHawks would answer back with a Torsten Lee to bring Miami back within one.
It would remain a 2-1 game until Loney scored his second of the game, and fifth of the weekend, to give DU their second two-goal lead of the game. Davenport would cap of the impressive first period with a goal from Blackburn in the final 30 seconds of the period, and the Panthers would carry a 4-1 lead into the break.
CHIPPING AWAY
The RedHawks came out with a lot more pressure in the second period, out-shooting the Panthers 18-14 in the middle stanza. Just a few minutes into the frame, Noah Tilton scored to make it a 4-2 game. Miami was not done yet, as with a little six minutes remaining in the period, Jacob Schmitt scored to bring Miami back within a goal.
The third period started with the home team hungry to find the equalizer, but the Panthers defense came in clutch. Miami was only able to get nine shots on goal in the third, all turned away by Bogema. Demeter would score his second of the game on the power play late in regulation to ice the game, giving the Panthers the 5-3 win.
Despite only one win one the weekend, head coach
Chris Green was ecstatic with how his team played against some of the best in the country.
"I am really happy with my boys and how they played this weekend," Green said after win. "It was a battle of grit…happy how they battled through it all."
WHO'S NEXT?
Davenport comes home for the first time in 2020 this coming weekend, as they get set to host the University of Louisville for a pair of games at Patterson. The Cardinals are currently 7-15-2-1 on the season, and will travel up to Grand Rapids on Friday after hosting Millersville at home on Thursday.
The Panthers are 3-1 all-time versus the Cardinals, with Green's old D3 teams going 4-0 against them as well.
Game one will be a late night meeting on Friday night, scheduled for a 10:20 p.m.
