GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. - No. 25 Davenport men's ACHA Division 1 hockey skated to a strong 6–2 win over No. 12 Hope College on Tuesday night at Patterson Ice Center, using a three-goal first period and a late surge in the third to secure the home victory. After Hope opened the scoring just over five minutes into the game, the Panthers responded with three unanswered goals in the first period. Taber Gutschick tied the game at 7:49, followed by goals from Brendan Bauer and Noah Bradburn to give DU a 3–1 lead after 20 minutes.

Hope pulled within one midway through the second, but Gutschick struck again at 16:10 for his second of the night and fifth of the season to restore the Panthers' two-goal advantage. Davenport controlled the tempo in the final frame, and Gutschick completed his first career hat trick at 13:45 to make it 5–2. With the Panthers on the power play in the closing minute, Dylan Jouppi added his first of the season to seal the 6–2 final.

Gutschick led the offense with three goals and one assist, while Branwen Pollett, Peter Stojcevski, and Ryan Blackburn each added multiple helpers. Goaltender Kyler Lowden turned in a sharp performance, stopping 36 of 38 shots. Davenport outshot Hope 41–38 and finished 1-for-5 on the power play. The win was the fourth this season against a nationally-ranked team and build momentum heading into December. Next up is a date with Grand Valley State on Friday, Dec. 5 at 4 PM in the Grand Rapids Sports Hall of Fame Tournament at Eagles Ice Center in Grand Rapids.