From Davenport University Athletics
By Ryan Thompson
GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. – The Davenport men’s ACHA Division I hockey team had a bad taste in their mouth after their first loss of the season on Thursday night at Toledo. The rematch on Sunday at Patterson Ice Center was a chance for redemption and they took that chance and converted it into an 8-4 win over the Rockets to improve to 4-1 on the young season.
A power play that had been struggling through the first four games, had a breakout on Sunday going 3-for-6. Josh Bisson gave Toledo a 1-0 lead at 7:53 of the first period, but then it was back-to-back, power play goals by Austin Melone and Peter Stojcevski to make it 2-1 after one period.
Brendan Bauer scored his second goal of the year at 1:29 of the second period for a 3-1 lead. Toledo answered with their own back-to-back, power play goals from Adam Ferreira and Bisson. The Panthers then started to put their foot on the gas and started to pull away. Five straight goals extended their lead to 8-3. Trent Benedict notched his fourth goal of the season at 10:11 of the second period. Ryder McMillen scored at 12:03 on the power play for what would be the game-winning goal.
The third period saw Jake Alton scored his first goal of the season at 4:02. Liam Bland followed at 10:16 with his second goal of the season. Bauer buried his second goal of the game just 32 seconds later. Andrew St. Julian snapped the goal-scoring run at 15:18 for the Rockets.
The Panthers edged out the Rockets, 46-28, in shots on goal, including 18-5 in the third period. Nathan Gauthier got the win in net stopping 24 shots. Heath Drye chipped in a pair of assists. Stojcevski also had two assists to give him seven already this season.
(Originally published at https://dupanthers.com/news/2024/9/30/mens-ice-hockey-di-five-goal-string-gives-davenport-an-8-4-win-over-toledo.aspx)
