Written by Tyler Kuehl
 
GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. – The D1 Hockey took to the ice on Friday afternoon in their final home game of the 2021 season on Senior Day. They went up against Indiana Tech, who had won their last four games heading into the weekend.
 
Indiana Tech went up early, but the Panthers were able to rally in the second period to take the lead. However, a few lucky bounces helped the Warriors turn the game around, and would skate away with the win.
 
QUICK STATS
 
Final Score: Davenport 3 – Indiana Tech 6
Shots: DU 26 | ITU 54
Power Play: DU (0/2) | ITU (0/4)
Records: #15 DU (3-5) | #7 ITU (12-5-0-1)
 
GETTING HEMMED IN
 
Despite having to travel early in the morning, the Warriors came out buzzing in the first period. They were rewarded after Joel Holmberg caused a turnover at the DU blueline, he then walked in a fired in his 10^th of the season to break the ice just a few minutes in. However, the Panthers only trailed heading into the first intermission, despite being outshot 16-6, and Indiana Tech having the territorial advantage for the majority of the period.
 
DU had a couple of chances early in the second, but the Warriors netminder Ryan O'Toole turned them away. Then, just passed the two-minute mark, Nick Papandrea sprung Alex Arnold on a breakaway, and he was able to put a shot over the glove of Rogers to put the Warriors up by a pair.
 
TURNING THE TIDE
 
After a few more good-looking chances for Indiana Tech, and a handful of great saves by Rogers, DU would get a break. Captain Nathan Nickelson chipped the puck into the neutral zone, where it was then picked up by Cowan, who then went in on a breakaway, and beat O'Toole to put DU on the board.
 
Then, with just under five minutes left in the frame, Cowan would tap in a rebound for his second of the game, knotting the game up at two. Davenport rode the momentum into the third period. Just a couple minutes in, Jonathan Dubbink caused a turnover in the Warrior zone, and passed the puck into the slot. It was knocked away, but Dubbink followed it up and ripped a shot, bardown, for his eighth goal of the season to put DU out in front.
 
REVERSING THE TREND
 
However, the lead was short lived, as just over a minute later, a pass from Matej Krasny in the DU zone went off a Panther defender and in to the game at three. Less than five minutes later, Cole Barney fired a shot and goal that was stopped initially by Rogers, but eventually it rolled across the line to give Indiana Tech their second lead of the game.
 
Just passed the halfway mark of the period, Barney had a shot that was stopped, but he followed up his rebound to make it 5-3.  The Warriors made it 6-3 a couple of minutes later, and would hold to take home their 12^th win of the season.
 
CURTAIN CALL
 
Friday's contest was the last home game for seven Panther seniors, as Ryan Wonfor, Luke Cowan, Jason Cohan, Austin Thompson, Brad Reitter, Jake Pobur and Joey Ogden took to the ice at Patterson one final time.
 
WHO'S NEXT?
 
The two teams will meet tomorrow night down in Fort Wayne to wrap up the weekend set. Puck drop from the SportOne/Parkview Icehouse is scheduled for 5:30 p.m.