The Calvin University Knights ACHA D1 Hockey Team defeated the Davenport University Panthers 6-3 on Friday.
Going into Friday's game the Knights were looking to build off of their opening win of the season. The Knights knew Friday's game was going to be a battle and they knew their opponents were not going to give them a single inch.
In the first period the Knights and the Panthers went end to end with high intensity and physical play. Neither team was willing to budge an inch on the defensive end. Late in the first period the Knights got caught out in the neutral zone and the Panthers took advantage and quickly found the back of the net to take the 1-0 lead.
At the end of the first period the Knights found themselves trailing the Panthers 1-0. The Knights were also outshot 14-17.
In the second period the Panthers came out flying. For the first five minutes of the period the Panthers put relentless pressure on the Knights back end and were rewarded with their second goal to take a 2-0 lead. The Knights fought back hard to break the pressure of the Panthers. Finally, with about two minutes to go in the period the Knights found a way through the Panthers defense and quickly capitalized on the opportunity to find the back of the net. The goal was scored by Riley Robertson with the assists coming from Maverick Baxtrom and Christian Gums.
At the end of the second period the Panthers still held onto a one goal lead over the Knights 2-1. The Knights were also outshot 9-11.
In the third period the Panthers once again came out strong, and quickly found the back of the net in the first minute of the period to take a 3-1 lead. After that goal the Knights took over the game. About four minutes later the Knights found the back of the net with a goal from Cal Erdmann with the assist from Zach Malkowski. About three minutes after the Knights second goal they found another, this time the goal came on the powerplay from Robertson with helpers from Ian Elkins and Jacob Siebenga. With the game now tied at 3-3 the Knights looked to keep the pressure up on the Panthers. With about ten minutes to go in the period the Knights found themselves on the penalty kill. But for the Knights that was not a bad thing as they took the lead with a shorthanded goal from Jared Virtanen. Three minutes later the Knights extended their lead with a goal from Siebenga with the assists from Virtanen and Justin Davis. Two minutes later the Knights secured the win with another goal from Virtanen to take the 6-3 lead over the Panthers.
At the end of regulation the Knights came out on top with a 6-3 win over the Panthers. The Knights also outshot the panthers 18-11.
Knights Goaltender Darin Fox played a strong game finishing with 36 saves and the win.
The Knights return to action on Saturday, Febuary 13th as they face off against Davenport once again at 5:30PM.
