Written by Tyler Kuehl
 
MANDAN, N.D. – After a tough loss in their tournament opener to the University of Mary, the D2 Hockey team looked for a better outing against the no. 2 team in their pool, the North Carolina State Icepack.
 
The Panthers looked much better, and were able to push the play for stretches of the contest. However, the Icepack were able to get a couple late goals to push DU out of semifinal contention.
 
QUICK STATS
 
Final Score: Davenport 3 – North Carolina State 5
Shots: DU 35 | NCSU 28
Power Play: DU (0/4) | NCSU (1/5)
Records: #16 DU (0-2) | #8 NCSU (2-0)
 
QUICKLY REBOUNDING
 
DU wanted to play better after getting embarrassed the night before. They went chance for chance in the first period against NC State, but it would be the Icepack who struck first as Devin Halko scored his first of the tournament.
 
Yet, the Panthers were not deterred, as they brought the pressure in the second period, outshooting NC State 11-5.  Arian Starin scored minutes into the period to the tie game at one. Yet, the Icepack came back to take the lead with a tally from Ricky Frosch. Just 11 seconds later, though, Jacob Demeter found the back of the net to bring the game even once again.
 
FIGHTING UNTIL THE END
 
Riley Johnson scored in the waning minutes of the second to give the Icepack their third lead of the game, but Davenport refused to quit. A little before the halfway mark of the period, Nathan Hartline was able to tie the game at three. It looked like the game may have been heading for overtime, but with less than 90 seconds left in regulation, Chris Solomon scored his fourth goal of the tournament to put the Icepack ahead. Colby Pederson added one more late, as NC State came away with the 5-3 win.
 
WHO'S NEXT?
 
The Panthers final game of the 2021 season will come against the University of Providence, another team they will be meeting for the first time.
 
The Argos fell in their opener to the Icepack, and will take on Mary late Friday night.
 
Puck drop from Mandan is set for 1 p.m. CST.