Liberty University Club Sports
Showcase in Chicago
Flames dominate Davenport, roll to 11-2 first-round win in Chicago Classic
11/20/2021 12:00:25 AM | Men's D1 Hockey
It has been nearly five years since Liberty University’s ACHA Division I men’s hockey team last played Davenport University. The Panthers won four national titles in a row from 2007-11 (the first three at the Division II level), but have not been a serious contender since visiting the LaHaye Ice Center as the No. 4 team in the nation in February 2017 and being swept by the Flames.
Liberty (12-3), which slipped one spot to No. 4 in this week’s ACHA DI national rankings, dominated Davenport (8-6) in Friday night’s opener of the Chicago Classic, winning 11-2 at Fifth Third Arena, the practice facility of the NHL’s Chicago Blackhawks.
Graduate defenseman Chaydan Lauber netted a hat trick and senior forward Josh Fricks and sophomore forwards DJ Schwenke and Kam Ottenbreit each added two goals to ignite the Flames, who outscored the Panthers 5-0 in the second period.
“We didn’t look dialed in and we didn’t play very well in the first period,” Liberty Head Coach Kirk Handy said. “We gave up two goals at the end and only led, 4-2.”
Fricks and Schwenke sandwiched scores around a goal by junior forward Matt Bartel and Lauber scored his first on the power play to account for the Flames’ first-period scoring.
Then in the second, Liberty elevated its game and got goals from Fricks, two by Ottenbreit, one from Schwenke shorthanded, and one from junior forward Brett Gammer before Lauber accounted for the only two goals in the third.
“Chaydan scored his first hat trick in his Liberty career and it was well deserved for a player who works as hard as he does,” Handy said. “All three of his goals were nice shots.”
“The second and third period, we played very well, and should have some momentum carried over into (Saturday’s) game,” he added.
The Flames will face tournament host Illinois, a 2-1 winner over Rhode Island on Friday, in Saturday’s semifinal round. The puck will again drop at 7:20 p.m. EST at First Third Arena, with the game livestreamed on Facebook.
“It’s Game 1 and we’re going to keep building from here,” Handy said.
By Ted Allen/Staff Writer
