Hockey Preview: Stout hosts Superior in non-conference game Thursday

THIS WEEK'S GAMES: It's a busy week for the Blue Devils (9-4-4, 1-1-0 WIAC). Not only will the players return to class, they will have three non-conference games this week, two at home. On Tuesday, Jan. 19 Stout will host St. Scholastica (9-4-1, 7-3-0 NCHA) at 7:30 p.m. Stout will host UW-Superior, (5-11-2, 0-2-0 WIAC) Thursday, Jan. 21 in a non-conference game at 7:30 p.m., then will be at Concordia University Wisconsin, (8-6-2, 5-5-2 NCHA) Friday, Jan. 22 to close out the week. The Blue Devils have played each of these teams one already this season.

WEBCASTS: All UW-Stout home games are scheduled to be broadcast in a live video stream by Blue Devil Video. Brady Burzynski and Hayden Bowe will be on the call throughout the season. Live Stats will also be available for home games. 


THE 2015-16 BLUE DEVILS (9-4-4, 1-1-0 WIAC): The Blue Devils saw a three game winning streak snapped against St. Scholastica, but extended their unbeaten mark to sevens games. The four ties matches the school record for tied games in a season with the teams from 2009-10 and 2004-05. The nine wins already exceeds the wins total for each of the last two seasons when the Blue Devils won eight games each year. The Blue Devils received five votes in the USCHO.com Division III poll, the first time the team has been mentioned in the poll since Dec. 3, 2012.

Team captain Jake Useldinger earned WIAC athlete of the week honors on the strength of scoring three goals and two assists in two games last week. And the senior has kept up his offensive output. Over the last six games, Useldinger has scored at one point. Useldinger leads the team in scoring with eight goals and nine assists - both team highs. now the team's scoring lead. Useldinger currently has a team-best eight goals and has eight assists. He has three power play goals and is one of four Blue Devil players to have notched a shorthanded goal this year. Last year's points leader, Justin Moody, is currently second on the team in scoring with seven goals and matches Useldinger's nine assists. Freshman Joe Anderson had a hat trick against Gustavus Adolphus, Jan. 9, and currently mirrors Tyler Cayemberg's six goals and seven assists. Cayemberg had a hat trick first semester. Danny Ray, Riley Colvard and Craig Lindegard each have seven assists.Karl Andersen and Shayne McLaughlin each have four goals. Joe Kleven has six assists and three goals. The Blue Devils have a power play percentage of 25.8 percent, second in the WIAC and eighth in Division III, and a penalty kill mark of 76.8 percent. Stout is averaging 3.4 goals per contest and giving up 2.8.

As a team, the Blue Devils have proven to be the most prolific in the third period, outscoring their opponents 28-20 in the final stanza. They are outscoring their opponents, 18-16, in the second period. The Blue Devils are a bit of a slow starter, getting outscored 12-11 in the first. Stout has scored 57 goals (3.4 goal per game) and has given up 48 (2.8). Stout has not given up an overtime goal this season, nor have they scored an overtime goal in three opportunities.

Spencer Viele, who was injured earlier this season against Concordia Wisconsin, returned to the net against Gustavus Adolphus two weeks ago. Viele has a 4-1-2 record with a GAA of 2.02 and a saves percentage of.935. Chase Hollander has a 2-3-1 record, working six games with a GAA of 3.51 and a saves percentage of .864. Freshman Nick Schmit has worked five games with a record 3-0-1, on a GAA of 3.05 and a saves percentage of .917. Schmit made a team season-high 44 saves against Hamline University, Jan. 8. The team is posting a team GAA of 2.74.

THE 2015-16 BLUE DEVILS PREVIEW: UW-Stout's 2015-16 roster features two seniors, 12 juniors, three sophomores and 13 freshmen. Ten returners played in all 26 games last year and 11 played in 20 games or more. The Blue Devils return 13 of their top-15 scorers and six of their top-eight scorers from last season, including junior forward Justin Moody, who led the squad with 11 goals, 12 assists and 23 points. UW-Stout will play nine of its first 13 games at the Fanetti Community Center (formerly the Dunn County Ice Arena), including seven consecutive home contests from Nov. 21-Jan. 8. The Blue Devils were picked to finish fifth in the WIAC in a preseason poll. Jake Useldinger scored seven goals and nine assists. Craig Lindegard added seven goals and eight assists, while Tyler Cayemberg had five goals and 10 assists. Spencer Viele and Chase Hollander split time in the net, with Viele posting a 5-11-1 overall record, with a goals against average of 3.62 and a saves percentage of. .908. Hollander had a 3-6-0 record with a GAA of 4.13 and a saves percentage of .893.

STOUT'S LAST TIME OUT: St. Scholastica scored a power play goal in the final three minutes of the game and the team's played to a 3-3 tie Tuesday, marking Stout's fourth tie of the season, tying a school record. The Blue Devils took to the road against a pair of MIAC schools, defeating St. Thomas, 5-3, Jan. 15, and Saint Mary's, 6-3, Jan. 16. Against the Tommies, the Blue Devils scored three third period goals to grab the win. Against the Cardinals, Jake Useldinger scored a pair of goals, one power play goal and another empty net goal. 

ALL TIED UP: When the Blue Devils notched a 3-3 tie with St. Scholastica, Jan. 19, it tied a school record for most ties in a single season with four. The 2009-10 team and the 2004-05 team each finished with four ties.


SCOUTING UW-SUPERIOR: The Yellowjackets snapped a two-game losing streak with a 2-1 win over Gustavus Adolphus last weekend. Superior started off the season with a 3-8-2, but have won two of the last five games since the calendar turned. Anton Svenssen is the team's goals leader, putting in 10 goals and adding five assists. Ian Ecklund is the team's scoring leader with seven goals and 13 assists. Daniel Litchkey has scored four goals and 12 assists. Eric Shand has six goals of which three are power play goals. The team's three goalies have played about equally. Bryce Fink is 1-4-2 with a GAA of 2.66 and a saves percentage of .906. Ethan Wood is 2-5-0 with a GAA of 3.54 and a saves percentage of .878. Corey Simons is 2-2-0 with a GAA of 2.88 and a saves percentage of .908. The Yellowjackets are scoring 2.4 goals and are giving up 3.2 goals.

THE YELLOWJACKETS' LAST TIME OUT: The Yellowjackets defeated Gustavus Adolphus, 2-1, Jan. 15, but lost 6-2 to Bethel University, Jan. 16. Against the Gusties,Owen Stauber scored early in the third period to break a 1-1 deadlock, and goaltender Ethan Wood and the team defense made it stand up as the Yellowjackets won on the road, 2-1. The Gusties opened the scoring early in the first period, but the 'Jackets' goals leader, Anton Svenssen got the equalizer with five minutes remaining in the period. The following night, Bethel scored three first period goals before the Yellowjackets got on the board on a goal by Eric Shand.

LAST TIME UW-SUPERIOR AND STOUT MET: UW-Stout found their offensive firepower and got a solid effort in the goal to take a 6-2 win over UW-Superior Dec. 4 at the Fanetti Community Center. The Blue Devils picked up their first conference win of the season, getting six goals from six different players and, defensively, goalie Chase Hollander turned away 24 shots while giving up two early goals. 

THE SERIES: The Yellowjackets hold a 54-21-5 lead in the series.

SCOUTING CONCORDIA UNIVERSITY WISCONSIN: Stephen Seel has scored six goals and 11 assists, with three of his goals power play goals. Braden Crone has six goals and nine assists. Jack Romanuik has worked seven games (2-2-1) with a GAA of 2.38 and a saves percentage of .916. Andy Munroe has worked eight games (3-2-1) with a GAA of 2.31 and a saves percentage of .921.

THE FALCONS' LAST TIME OUT: The Falcons lost a pair of games to Marian University last weekend, losing 4-1 at Marian, Jan. 15, then getting toppled, 4-2, the following night in Mequon. 

LAST TIME CONCORDIA AND STOUT MET: Tyler Cayemberg scored his first collegiate hat trick and UW-Stout had their power play in motion as the Blue Devils defeated Concordia University Wisconsin 5-2 Saturday at the Fanetti Community Center. 

THE SERIES: The Blue Devils hold a 6-0-0 lead in the series.


SCOUTING ST. SCHOLASTICA: The Saints are currently in second place in the Northern Division of the NCHA behind perennial power St. Norbert College. The Saints are ranked 15th in the latest USCHO.com Division III men's hockey poll. Brandon Millin is leading the way for the Saints, popping 10 goals and eight assists. DylanNowakowski is leading the team in assists with 13 to go along with his five goals. Steven Phee has added seven goals and eight assists, with three of his goals coming on the power play. Keegan Bruce has a team-high four power play goals. Brice has scored five goals and five assists. Mark Whiteley has no goals, but has dished out 10 assists. Int he net, Tyler Bruggeman has an 8-3-1 overall record, posting a 2.16 GAA and a saves percentage of .912. As a team, the Saints are scoring 3.6 goals and giving up 2.3. The Saints have won three of their last four games. In overtime games, the Saints are 1-1-1. 

SAINTS' LAST TIME OUT: The Saints split a pair of home conference games with MSOE last weekend, downing the Raiders, 2-0, Jan. 15, but falling the following day, 3-2. In the opener,Saints scored twice in the third period, getting a power-play goal from Keegan Bruce and an empty-netter from Derek Sutliffe to defeat No. 15 MSOE. The shutout was the second in a week for goalie Tyler Bruggeman. In the second game, the Saints' Brandon Millin scored early in the third period to tie the score at 1-1, but the Raiders' scored two goals late in the game and held Scholastica to one goal to seal the win. 

LAST TIME ST. SCHOLASTICA AND STOUT MET: St. Scholastica scored three goals in the first period and tagged on another in the second on their way to a 4-1 win over UW-Stout Oct. 31 at Mars Lakeview Arena in the teams' second game of the season. The Saints took advantage of the power play, scoring all four of their goals with the advantage. Keegan Bruce scored at 8:15 of the first, Joel Paiement scored at 13:41 and Michael Spring scored at 17:43. Bruce scored his second goal of the game at 15:27 of the second period. 

THE SERIES: The Blue Devils hold a 23-17-5 lead in the series.


USCHO.com TOP 15 DIVISION III POLL: Blue Devil 2015-16 opponents receiving votes in the latest USHCO.com Division III poll are: UW-Stevens Point, 3rd; UW-Eau Claire, 10th; UW-River Falls, 13th; MSOE, 14th; . St. Scholastica, 15th. Augsburg is receiving votes.

TEAM CAPTAINS: Captains for the 2015-16 season are Jake Useldinger, Derek Sand, Justin Moody and Danny Ray.

AWARDS AND HONORS: Freshman forward Joe Anderson was selected as the UW-Stout/Northwestern Mutual athlete of the week after scoring a hat trick and an assist in a 5-3 win at Gustavus Adolphus, Jan. 9. Anderson also scored a goal the night before against Hamline University...Goalie Nick Schmit was selected the UW-Stout/Northwestern Mutual athlete of the week, Dec. 14, after recording two wins in his first collegiate starts...Forward Tyler Cayemberg was selected as the WIAC athlete of the week after scoring a hat trick against Concordia University Wisconsin, Nov. 21. Cayemberg had two power play goals and completed the hat trick with an empty net goal with three seconds remaining...Goalie Spencer Viele was selected as the WIAC athlete of the week after snagging a win over Bethel and playing to a scoreless tie with Gustavus Adolphus, Nov. 6-7. Viele posted a saves percentage of .963 over the two games.

THE COACHES: UW-Stout: Terry Watkins (220-272-32) is in his 19th season as the head coach of the Blue Devils' varsity program. Watkins spent eight years coaching the club team (104-102-16) as Stout prepared to return to varsity status in 1997. Watkins was the 2006-07 NCHA coach of the year when Stout finished in a three-way tie for first. Watkins had a Hall of Fame career at Stout as a defenseman. Stout won a WIAC title in 2010-11, and an NCHA title during the 2006-07 season. Watkins reached 700 games as the head coach of a UW-Stout hockey team (varsity and club) when the Blue Devils played UW-Stevens Point, Dec. 7, 2013. St. Scholastica: Mark Wik is in his 12th season as the head coach at St. Scholastica. Wick, who is the program's winningest coach with 147 wins in 11 seasons, is a two-time NCHA Coach of the Year being named in 2008-09 and then again in 2011-12. The Saints have advanced past the NCHA quarterfinals eight of the last nine seasons and made the finals for the second time in program history in 2014. In 2009, Wick guided CSS to its second NCAA Tournament appearance and first since the 1982 season. UW-Superior: Dan Stauber is in his 16th season as head coach of the Yellowjacket men's hockey program. Stauber's His first team set several school records, including most wins in a season (30), longest unbeaten streak (23 games) and longest winning streak (19 games). Concordia Wisconsin: Jasen Wise is in his fourth year as the head coach of the Falcons. Wise, who guided CUW to a program record for wins in a season in each of his first two years, is the Falcons winningest coach in program history. The Falcons qualified for the NCHA Harris Cup Playoffs for the third straight season under Wise in 2014-15.


THE CONFERENCES: UW-Stout is a member of the five-team Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (WIAC). The WIAC is made up of Stout, UW-Eau Claire, UW-Stevens Point, UW-Superior and UW-River Falls. Even though Superior is leaving the conference is other sports after this year, the hockey programs will remain affiliated with the WIAC. MSOE is a member of the NCHA. Concordia-Moorhead and St. Olaf College are members of the MIAC.

SCORELESS TIE: If fans were looking for scoring in the UW-Stout/Gustavus Adolphus College game Nov. 7, 2015, they went away disappointed. The scoreless tie with the Gusties was a first for UW-Stout, which has never had a scoreless tie in any of the program's varsity games, stretching back to 1968. Gustavus last season set an NCAA Division III record for ties with eight and one was a scoreless tie. According to Tim Danehy of collegehockeystats.net, scoreless ties are "not common obviously, but not that rare overall" across all divisions, both men and women, and appear to be on the rise. So far this year, six scoreless ties have been reported, but the Stout/Gustavus double goose eggs were the first of the season for Division III men. Last season there were 17 scoreless ties reported to collegehockeystats.net, of which six were Division III men, Danehy said. In 2013-14 there were nine total and 2012-13 had 10 total. The same night UW-Stout and Gustavus were going scoreless, the UW-Eau Claire women and St. Catherine played to a 0-0 decision.

LENDING AN ASSIST, continued: Chase Hollander was awarded his second career assist in the Blue Devils' 5-2 win over Concordia University Wisconsin, Nov. 21. That makes two different Stout goalies that have gotten assists during the 2015-16 season. Spencer Viele was awarded an assist Nov. 6 against Bethel University. The two helpers mark the first time two UW-Stout goalies have gotten an assist in the same year since the team returned to varsity status 20 years ago...When Spencer Viele was awarded an assist against Bethel University, Nov. 6, 2015, he was not the first Stout goalie, and won't be the last, to get an assist. Since the Blue Devil hockey program returned to varsity play during the 1996-97 season, seven goalies have earned at least one assist. Chase Hollander was awarded an assist for his pass as Danny Ray scored against UW-Superior, Jan. 17, 2015. Corey Koop did it during the 2013-14 season, Jeff Stone during the 2008-09 season, and Jake Schuman during the 2004-05 season each recorded an assist. Jeff Dotson did it in 2000-01 as a freshman, then did it again as a senior in 2003-04. Kelly Elde did it twice during the 1996-97 season.

PREVIOUS BLUE DEVIL HAT TRICKS (since 2008)
Joe Anderson vs. Gustavus Adolphus, Jan. 9, 2016
Tyler Cayemberg vs. Concordia University Wisconsin, Nov. 21, 2015
Austin Nelson vs. Aurora University, Jan. 23, 2015
Branden Gay vs. St. Scholastica, Dec. 2, 2011
Branden Gay vs. St. Norbert, Feb. 12, 2011
Scott Motz vs. St. Mary's University, Jan. 13, 2009
Nick Klaren vs. Northland, Nov. 4, 2008
Scott Motz vs. Northland, Nov. 4, 2008
Derek Hanson vs. Augsburg, Oct. 31, 2008
Derek Hanson vs. Concordia, Oct. 24, 2008

The Last Time in a Single Game...
Two Stout players recorded a hat trick: Scott Motz, Nick Klaren vs. Northland College, Nov. 4, 2008
A Stout player recorded two or more power play goals: 2, Tyler Cayemberg vs. Concordia Wisconsin, Nov. 21, 2015
A Stout player recorded a shorthanded goal: Tyler Cayemberg vs. Concordia-Moorhead, Dec. 11, 2015
Stout scored two empty net goals: Jake Useldinger, Nolan Kirley vs. Saint Mary's University, Jan. 16, 2016
A Stout goalie recorded 40-45 saves: 44, Nick Schmit vs. Hamline University, Jan. 8, 2016
A Stout goalie recorded 46-50 saves: 49, Spencer Viele vs. Aurora University, Jan. 24, 2015
A Stout goalie recorded 50-55 saves: 51, Corey Koop vs. UW-Eau Claire, Feb. 20, 2014
A Stout goalie recorded 55-plus saves: 59, Corey Koop vs. UW-Stevens Point, Dec. 7, 2013
A Stout player recorded four goals: 4, Brad Weappa vs. Hamline University, Jan. 18, 2000
A Stout goalie recorded an assist: Chase Hollander vs. Concordia Wisconsin, Nov. 21, 2015
A Stout team scored 5-7 goals: 6 vs. Saint Mary's (W 6-3), Jan. 16, 2016
A Stout team scored 8-10 goals: 8 vs. Concordia Wisconsin (W 8-5), Jan. 10, 2015
A Stout team scored 10-plus goals: 11 vs. Northland College (W 11-2), Nov. 4, 2008
Stout posted a shutout: vs. Gustavus Adolphus (0-0), Nov. 7, 2015
Stout was shut out: vs. UW-Eau Claire (0-7), Dec. 3, 2015
Both teams played to a scoreless tie: vs. Gustavus Adolphus, Nov. 7, 2015

BLUE DEVIL RECORD BOOK
Individual Records
Goals by Game: 8, Glenn LaChapelle vs. UW-Stevens Point, Feb. 18, 1973
Assists by Game: 9, Chuck Gerber vs. UW-Stevens Point, Feb. 18, 1973
Points by Game: 9, Glenn LaChapelle (8/1) vs. UW-Stevens Point, Feb. 18, 1973; Chuck Gerber (0/9) vs. UW-Stevens Point, Feb. 18, 1973;
Saves by Game: 67, Tom Slupe vs. Wisconsin JV, Feb. 14, 1970
Goals by Season: 43, Glenn LaChappelle, 1972-73
Assists by Season: 28, Derek Hanson, 2008-09
Points by Season: 65, Glenn LaChapelle (43/22), 1972-73
Saves by Season: 850, Tad Larson, 1977-78
Goalie Win/Loss Record by Season: 21-5-2, Matt Koenig, 2008-09
Goals by Career: 80, Glenn LaChapelle, 1970-73
Assists by Career: 80, Derek Hanson, 2006-10; Scott Motz, 2006-10
Points by Career: 140, Derek Hanson (60/80), 2006-10
Saves by Career: 2480, Tad Larson, 1974-78
Goalie Win/Loss Record by Career: 44-16-4, Matt Koenig, 2005-09
Fastest First Period Goal: 10 seconds, Mark Ryder vs. UW-Stevens Point, Feb. 17, 1973
Fastest Second Period Goal: 6 seconds, Mike Kautz vs. UW-Stevens Point, Jan. 20, 2006
Fastest Third Period Goal: 6 seconds, Duane Johnson vs. St. Cloud State, Dec. 2, 1978
Fastest Overtime Goal: 6 seconds, Curt Moore vs. Concordia, Nov. 26, 1976
Team Records
Most Goals in a Period: 11, vs. UW-Stevens Point, Feb. 17, 1973
Most Goals in a Game: 21 vs. UW-Stevens Point, Feb. 17, 1973
Most Goals Allowed in a Game: 18, vs. Wisconsin JV, Feb. 14, 1970
Most Penalty Minutes: 21-54 vs. UW-Eau Claire, Dec. 13, 1997
Most Penalty Minutes, Both Teams: 35-96 vs. UW-Eau Claire, Dec. 13, 1997


STOUT'S RANKED HISTORY: The Blue Devils returned to the USCHO.com Division III poll, Jan. 18, 2016, after nearly a four year hiatus. Stout finished the 2008-09 season as the second ranked team in the USCHO.com poll. With the exception of the Nov. 17, 2008, USCHO.com poll, Stout had been ranked in the top 15 since the Nov. 13, 2006, poll. Stout made their first appearance in the poll on Nov. 27, 2000, when they received one vote, then moved up to 10th the following week. The 2008-09 season ending poll matched Stout's previous high mark of second in the Jan. 29, 2007, poll. Stout opened the 2009-10 season ranked third, their highest-ever season-opening ranking, but fell out of the polls midway through the season and returned to the top 15, Nov. 22, 2010. Stout was in the 2011-12 USCHO.com poll early in the season, dropped out, returned again, but dropped out. Stout returned to the poll after a win over top-ranked St. Norbert, Jan. 18, 2012, garnering eight votes in the Jan. 21, 2012, poll, effectively ranking the Blue Devils 19th. Stout returned to the poll in the early part of the 2012-13 season, receiving seven votes in the Dec. 3, 2012 poll before dropping out.

NEW NAME: The Dunn County Board last spring approved renaming the Dunn County Ice Arena to the Fanetti Community Center in recognition of Marilyn Fanetti's contribution to fundraising efforts undertaken by the Menomonie Youth Hockey Association to remodel and add to the arena at the Dunn County Recreation Park. Fanetti donated $370,000 to the project and asked that the hockey arena and new community room be named for her family.

UP NEXT: The Blue Devils will return to conference play when travel to UW-Eau Claire, Thursday, Jan. 28, then will be at UW-Superior, Friday, Jan. 29.