The Oakland University hockey team defeated rival Davenport Panthers 3-2, in the Onyx Ice Arena on Friday, to claim the coveted Good Luck Duck trophy for the first time since the 2007 season.

The 3-2 victory was the Grizzlies’ fifth and final game before the American Collegiate Hockey Association National Tournament later in the week.

Heading into the game, Head Coach Jeremy Bachusz said that the Grizzlies needed to play their systems and not get rattled by pressure.

“I think it’s real big,” Nick Tomczyk, assistant head coach, said. “Davenport has had the Duck the last four years and have won nationals each year. It is great to have the Duck heading into nationals with it.”

Jordan MacDonald scored the second goal of the game late in the first period, with assists by defenseman Cody Farber and forward Anthony Colizza.

“It felt great to win the duck for our team and a lot of our alumni who come to our games,” senior forward Jordan MacDonald said.

An earlier goal by Brian Baker contributed to a 2-0 lead heading into the second period.

Davenport’s Jeff Slusser scored their first of the night, placing the puck behind Grizzlies goalie, freshman Corey Hrischuk.

Tomczyk said that momentum changed in Davenport’s favor in the second period.

During an Oakland power play, Davenport defenseman Brock Carlston scored a shorthanded goal putting the puck past Hrischuk, to tie the game at 2.

Directly following the goal, Davenport managed a breakaway which almost saw the Panthers score again until Hrischuk made the stop.

“I think it’s a tough situation (for Hrischuk) to come in as a freshman,” MacDonald said. “He’s really improved.”

Davenport defenseman Brock Carlston scored the team’s second shorthanded goal of the night, evening the score 2-2 heading into the third period.

Midway through the third, junior forward Alex Hoffman got an unassisted goal, allowing the Grizzlies to once again take the lead. This marked Hoffman’s 15th goal of the season and the Grizzlies game-winning play.

Friday night was also senior night for the team. After the game, instead of celebrating with the Duck right away, the Grizzlies honored their seniors, who won not only their final home game for Oakland, but also the Good Luck Duck after four years.

Oakland’s next game is Friday, March 2 at 11:30 a.m. in Strongville, Ohio. They will play Mercyhurst in the first round of the ACHA Tournament.

The team believes they have momentum and luck on their side heading into the national tournament.

“We’re definitely helped with momentum,” Tomczyk said. “We’ve got three practices before the game Friday, and we have to go in there and play our style of hockey.”

 

—-Contact staff reporter Damien Dennis via email at [email protected] or follow him on Twitter @djdennisOU