Written by Tyler Kuehl
 
GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. – After three consecutive losses, two of those at the hands of Calvin, the D1 Hockey team met with the Knights for a fifth and final time on Friday night.
 
Despite falling behind early, and playing with only 12 skaters, the Panthers were able to rally and jump out in front. Despite a late surge, DU was able to hold on to pick up their first win in almost three weeks.
 
QUICK STATS
 
Final Score: Davenport 5 – Calvin 4
Shots: DU 30 | CU 39
Power Play: DU (1/5) | CU (2/7)
Records: DU (3-4) | CU (4-4)
 
NOTABLE PERFORMANCES
 
Marc Anderson led the DU attack with a pair of goals in the win, with captain Nathan Nickelson and Luke Cowan each tallying a goal and an assist. Cowan's goal was the 48^th of his career at Davenport, passing Matt Ogden, and tying Kody Polin for eighth all-time.
 
Alexander Rogers played well, once again, making 35 saves in his third win of the season.
 
FALLING BEHIND
 
Something a team on the road never wants to do is give up an early lead. Well, that is what happened to the Panthers in the opening period as Graham Kormash scored just before the halfway mark of the period. A few minutes later, Jacob Siebenga scored his second goal of the week against DU, and the Panthers found themselves trailing by two after 20 minutes.
 
STORMING BACK
 
Unlike the previous few games, DU did not the let the deficit intimidate them, as they got themselves back in the game in the second period. Nickelson potted his fourth goal of the season minutes into the frame, which was shortly followed up by Anderson's second of the year to tie the game. A little passed the halfway mark of the period, Anderson netted his second of the game to give DU their first lead since Feb. 13.
 
VICTORY
 
DU extended their lead to two after the returning Austin Thompson scored his first of the year in the opening minute of the final frame. The Knights answered back with a goal from Jared Virtanen just a couple minutes later, but Cowan put DU back up by a pair with a power play goal just passed the halfway mark of the period.
 
Josh Hartlein scored in the final minute of regulation, but it was too little, too late, as DU held on for the 5-4 win.
 
COACH'S CORNER
 
Head Coach Phil Sweeney was proud the way his team battled Friday night.
 
"Nine forwards, three D, those guys battled for 60 minutes. We changed a lot this week and simplified our game plan. The guys clearly picked it up quick."
 
WHO'S NEXT?
 
DU has the rest of the weekend off, and is set to take on Indiana Tech in a home-and-home set next weekend. The Warriors are currently ranked no. 6 in the country, with a 9-6 record. Indiana Tech has games against Cleary and Calvin before meeting with the Panthers next Friday.
 
The Panthers are 5-1 all-time against the Warriors, with the two splitting the season series last season.
 
Puck drop at Patterson on Friday, March 12, is set for 12:30 p.m.