Written by Tyler Kuehl
EAST KENTWOOD, Mich. – In their final weekend of the regular season, the D3 hockey team took on the Cardinals from Saginaw Valley State for the first time in the 2016-17 season. Davenport was looking to end their home schedule on a high, while the Cardinals were looking to build off a win over Lawrence Tech.
Davenport was able to get a two-goal lead early in the second period, and led 3-1 heading into the third period. However, the Cardinals were able to rally with four goals in the final frame to upend the Panthers.
QUICK STATS
Final Score: Davenport 3 – Saginaw Valley State 5
Shots: DU 45 | SVSU 48
Power Play: DU (0/10) | SVSU (2/5)
Records: DU (9-16, 7-14) | #14 SVSU (9-15-2-1, 5-13-1-1)
NOTABLE PERFORMANCES
Kevin Crawley led the Panthers with a goal and an assist on Friday night, with
Barrett Rosser putting together a solid outing in net, stopping 44 of the 48 saves he faced.
NO GOAL?
The game was tight throughout the entire contest, and it looked like DU struck first with a goal just minutes into the game. However, the goal was called off as
Hunter Tolsdorf was called for goaltender interference, despite the fact that it was Saginaw's Ryan Forman initiating the contact in the first place.
GOOD KARMA
Davenport would continue to press, and they were rewarded with Crawley's sixth of the season.
The game would remain a one-goal contest until a couple of minutes into the second period as
John Lizyness scored his ninth of the year, and DU found themselves up by two.
SVSU got on the board minutes after Lizyness' goal, as Seth Lewis potted his fourth goal of the season.
Davenport would go back up by two as
Tyler Heyboer scored his 19
th of the season a little passed the halfway mark of the period, and Davenport would carry the lead into the third period.
A VALLEY TOO LOW
Saginaw Valley was able to get back within one following a goal from Cardinals' leading-scorer Steven Kukla just over a minute into the period. The Cardinals tied the game with a goal from Christian Rawlings just after the 10-minute mark of the frame. Less than a minute later, Kukla would score his second of the period to give SVSU their first lead of the game.
Davenport would try to bounce back, but a goal in the final minute by Ben Clemence iced the game, as the Cardinals would come away with the 5-3 victory.
WHO'S NEXT?
The Panthers travel across the state for their regular season finale Saturday night to take on take on the Cardinals. Puck drop at Saginaw Bay Ice Arena is set for 9 p.m.
