GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. - "A win is a win" seemed like a fitting sentence after the Davenport men's ACHA Division I hockey team picked up a 2-1 decision over Eastern Michigan. Davenport improved to 12-5 this season and have doubled their win total from last year barely into the month of December. The close contest was probably not what most people, including the players, would have expected. Eastern Michigan is at the bottom of the GLCHL 10-team conference with just one win this season. The stats were definitely one sided as EMU goaltender Brenden Gutekunst had one of his best performances with 52 saves in the game.

Kyler Lowden did not have as busy of an afternoon, but made the saves needed to win with a total of 14. DU could not find special teams magic going 0-for-6 on the power play. The Panthers stayed disciplined with just one penalty in the game coming in the first period and the Eagles did not score on that opportunity.

The Eagles took a 1-0 lead at 8:24 of the first period as Nolan Manicki scored his first goal of the season from Quinn Roadhouse and Logan Beaupre short-handed. Fast forward to the second period when the Panthers tied it up. Trent Benedict scored his fifth goal of the season at 12 seconds from Heath Drye. The game remained tied into the third period when Keelan Saworski scored the winning goal at 12:54 from Jacob Boucha.

The Panthers will now participate in the Grand Rapids Sports Hall of Fame Tournament at Eagles Ice Center beginning on Dec. 8 with a matchup against Grand Valley State.