BYRON CENTER, Mich. – Davenport University's ACHA men's Division II ice hockey team opened their season with a 5-1 victory over Aquinas College on Saturday, Sept. 27, at Southside Ice Arena.

The Panthers got on the board first in the opening period as Cole Dixon scored with 12:13 remaining off an assist from sophomore forward Edward Pukhalsky. Aquinas answered in the second period with Ben LaValley scoring their lone goal, assisted by Jack Jeffreys and Gabe Meendering.

Davenport regained the lead shortly after as Nathan Dixon scored again with 17:21 remaining in the second period, assisted by C. Dixon. Zach Majewski followed with a solo goal later in the period to extend the advantage.

In the final period, Derrand Wilcox added another solo goal with 15:47 remaining, and Dixon completed the scoring with a goal at 18:25 remaining, assisted by Brayden Bartlett and Wilcox.

The Panthers outshot Aquinas 33-36 on the day, while Julian Arenal made 35 saves in net. Aquinas' goalie recorded 28 saves. On the power play, Davenport was 1-of-2, while the Saints went 0-of-2.

Davenport will return to action this weekend in Dayton, Ohio, facing Dayton at 9:40 PM on Friday, Oct. 3.