GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. - The Panthers made their way to Calvin on Friday night in the GLCHL tournament semifinals and cruised to a 9-3 win over the Knights for their 20th win of the season. Earlier in the night, Grand Valley State upset top-seeded Adrian to advance to the championship game against the Panthers on Saturday at 5 PM from Eagles Ice Center. DU and GVSU have met six times already this season with Davenport winning five of those games. The Panthers are trying to end a drought since their last GLCHL tournament title back in 2013.

Austin Thompson scored a hat trick for Davenport with one goal in each period. He started the scoring just 20 seconds into the game from Austin Melone. He also scored 39 seconds into the second period from Sebastien Doucet. His third goal came at 1:15 of the third period from Doucet and Melone.

The Panthers also got a goal from Stephen Smoody, Robert McLaughlin, Jacob Demeter, Justin Turner, Jacob Boucha, and Nathan Nickelson. Smoody scored on the power play at 10:38 of the first period from Kristers Klavins and Adam Hulsey. McLaughlin scored at 12:17 of the first period from Hulsey. Davenport led 3-2 after the first period and then led 5-2 after two periods. Demeter scored at 8:55 from Smoody and McLaughlin to give DU a three-goal cushion after 40 minutes.

Davenport took a commanding 9-2 lead with the first four goals of the third period. Turner from Hulsey and McLaughlin came at 2:19. Boucha scored at 5:00 unassisted and then Nickelson scored at 11:16 from Thompson and Boucha. Calvin scored their last goal at 16:42 of the third period. Calvin went 0-for-3 on the power play while Davenport was 1-for-3. The Panthers saw Nathan Gauthier make 31 saves on the night including 12 in the first period.