The Davenport men's ACHA Division I hockey team started the new year with a pair of defeats against No. 18 Purdue Northwest in Great Lakes Six Conference action. The first contest was a unique experience for the Panthers as they played an outdoor game in Crown Point, Indiana at Bulldog Park. The offense could not generate enough chances in a 4-1 loss to the Pride. Purdue Northwest is one of the best defensive teams in the country and showed their ability to limit quality chances despite 27 shots on goal by the Panthers. The Pride recorded 54 shots and really set the tone with a 22-6 edge in the first period.

The Panthers trailed 4-0 before getting on the board. Robert McLaughlin scored his seventh goal of the season at 14:45 of the third period from Ryder McMillen to avoid the shutout. Four different players scored for Purdue Northwest including Hayden Masloski on the power play at 31 seconds of the second period. He also assisted on the first goal by Mike Clough and the third goal by Sam Bourdages. Nathan Gauthier made 50 saves on a busy night in net for Davenport.

The next night the Panthers entertained the Pride at Patterson Ice Arena on Saturday. The game was more tightly contested, but Purdue Northwest won 4-2. The shots on goal were 34-31 in favor of the visitors. Brendan Bauer had a great night for Davenport with two goals to mark his second multi-goal game of the season and the first since Sept. 29 against Toledo. Bauer's second goal at 18:59 pulled the Panthers within a goal. The empty net allowed the Pride to score the insurance goal just 14 seconds later. Bourdages netted his fourth goal of the season with an assist from Clough. Gauthier was back in net for the Panthers and made 30 saves. Isaac Hyde stopped 29 shots for the Pride to earn the win in net.