The men's ACHA Division I hockey team played Cleary University for the first time over the weekend and came away with a pair of wins against the Cougars. The Panthers won 3-1 on Friday night on the road and returned home on Saturday for an 8-3 victory. The Panthers improved to 14-7 on the season and are also 8-1 on home ice in 2023-24.
Friday night's contest was a battle and back-and-forth throughout.
Brendan Bauer opened the scoring at 3:51 of the first quarter for his ninth goal of the season.
Branwen Pollett and
Robert McLaughlin were given assists on the goal. Jacob Alton gave the Panthers a 2-0 lead at the 6:16 mark of the second period from
Ryan Blackburn and
Dylan Jouppi. The Cougars got their lone goal at 9:21 of the second period from Zach Eakes.
Mattix McMullen got his first career goal at the 11:44 mark from Jouppi for the 3-1 lead. No scoring occurred in the third period as the Panthers defense kept Cleary away from the net for the most part. They had just seven shots on goal in the first 20 minutes. Davenport held a 38-34 edge in shots on goal after Cleary had 20 in the first period.
Nathan Gauthier weathered the early storm to make 33 saves total and get the win in net.
Saturday's game was chippy beginning in the first period with 32 penalty minutes. In total, there were 122 penalty minutes between the two teams which led to many power play opportunities. Each team would score two power play goals in the contest.
Peter Stojcevski recorded a hat trick and upped his season goal total to seven. He scored once in each period including the game's opening goal at 9:27 of the first period. He also scored on the power play at 1:54 of the second period and again at 14:35 of the third period. Davenport scored the first four goals to build a comfortable lead.
Justin Turner and Bauer also scored in the first period for a 3-0 advantage. After Stojcevski's second goal of the game made it 4-0, the Cougars came roaring back with three straight goals including two on the power play. Bennett Sheppard and Brendyn Galloner ended the second period with goals and then Jonathan Gardiner scored at 7:23 of the third period. DU put their foot back on the gas and scored the game's final four goals in a span of just over eight minutes.
Taber Gutschick scored his second goal of the season at 8:04 to quickly answer the third goal by Cleary. Pollett responded just 16 seconds later with his fourth tally of the season. After Stojcevski's third goal, Blackburn notched his second of the season at 16:57 on the power play to end the scoring.
Kyler Lowden got the win in net making 30 saves. It was his third game this season with 30 or more saves. McLaughlin and
Kristers Klavins each chipped in with two assists.
The Panthers will now be off until after winter break when they face Oakland on Friday, Jan. 5 at 8:35 PM from Patterson Ice Center.
