Hockey Preview: Following tie at Eau Claire, Stout off to Superior Friday

Blue Devil home games: Live Stats | Live Video | at UW-Eau Claire: Live Stats | Live Video | Live Audio | at UW-Superior: Live Stats | Live Video | Live Audio

THIS WEEK'S GAMES: Following a week where the Blue Devils (9-6-5, 1-1-1 WIAC) went 0-2-1, the team was able to pick themselves up and dust themselves off, playing ninth ranked UW-Eau Claire to a 2-2 tie at Eau Claire Thursday. After playing nationally ranked St. Scholastica to a tie, the Blue Devils lost lopsided non-conference contests to UW-Superior (6-2) and Concordia University Wisconsin (6-1). Stout now has five conference games remaining and are at UW-Superior (6-11-2, 0-2-0 WIAC), Friday, Jan. 29. The Blue Devils will need to do another about face when they meet the Yellowjackets. Just over a week ago, Superior handed Stout a 6-2 loss in Menomonie.

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. Blue Devil home games: Live Stats | Live Video


THE 2015-16 BLUE DEVILS (9-6-5, 1-1-1 WIAC): The Blue Devils came into last week with a three game winning streak and a six game unbeaten streak, but now are on the end of two game losing streak following a 6-2 non-conference loss to UW-Superior and a 6-1 loss to Concordia-Wisconsin. The team had also received mention in the USCHO.com Division III poll for the first time since December, 2012.

Team captain Jake Useldinger  leads the team in scoring with a team-high eight goals and nine 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 has a team-high 10 assists. Freshman Joe Anderson had a hat trick against Gustavus Adolphus, Jan. 9, and currently mirrors Tyler Cayemberg's six goals, and has eight 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 five goals. Joe Kleven has six assists and three goals. The Blue Devils have a power play percentage of 23.3 percent, second in the WIAC and eighth in Division III, and a penalty kill mark of 76.6 percent. Stout is averaging 3.2 goals per contest and giving up 3.2.

As a team, the Blue Devils have proven to be the most prolific in the third period, outscoring their opponents 29-25 in the final stanza, but have been outscored in the first period. Stout is being outscored 16-13 in the first period and 20-19 in the second period. Stout has scored 62 goals (3.1 goal per game) and has given up 62 (3.1). The Blue Devils' gave up six goals in back-to-back games last week, the most in a two-game streak this year. Stout has not given up an overtime goal this season, nor have they scored an overtime goal in fouropportunities.

Spencer Viele, who was injured earlier this season against Concordia Wisconsin, returned to the net against Gustavus Adolphus three weeks ago. Viele has a 4-2-2 record with a GAA of 2.25 and a saves percentage of .929. Chase Hollander has a 2-3-1 record, working eight games with a GAA of 3.75 and a saves percentage of .856. Freshman Nick Schmit has worked seven games with a record 3-1-2, on a GAA of 3.25 and a saves percentage of .911. Schmit made a team season-high 44 saves against Hamline University, Jan. 8. The team is posting a team GAA of 3.04. | 2015-16 Blue Devil Statistics

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. | 2015-16 Blue Devil Statistics

STOUT'S LAST TIME OUT: When the teams met in December, the Blugolds breezed their way to a 7-0 win. This time, the teams matched each other goal for goal and finished in a 2-2 tie Thursday at Hobbs Ice Center. The ninth-ranked Blugoldsgot on the board  five minutes into the first period. Stout  knotted the game five minutes into the second period when Trey Gardner , playing in his first game since joining the team after the semester break, scored his first goal as a Blue Devil, with assists by Karl Andersen and Nolan Kirley. Stout took a 2-1 lead near the eight minute mark of the third period when Joe Kleven, on an assist by Dylan Zins. The Blugolds tied the game less than two minutes later. The Blue Devils outshot the Blugolds, 47-39, with the Blugolds' Tyler Green making 45 saves and Stout's Nick Schmit making 37 saves. | Eau Claire Story and Box Score | UW-Superior Story and Box Score

Game Stats Tracker

SCOUTING UW-SUPERIOR: The Yellowjackets showed some fire power last week in Menomonie that they have rarely shown all season, rolling up six goals against Stout. 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 three of the last sixgames since the calendar turnedto January. 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 eight goals and 14 assists. Daniel Litchkey has scored four goals and 12 assists. Eric Shand has seven 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 3-2-0 with a GAA of 2.72 and a saves percentage of .914. The Yellowjackets are scoring 2.6 goals and are giving up 3.2 goals. | 2015-16 Statistics

LAST TIME UW-SUPERIOR AND STOUT MET: The Yellowjackets play the Blue Devils in back-to-back games. The last time UW-Stout and UW-Superior met back in December, the Blue Devils walked away with a 6-2 win. In a non-conference rematch Jan. 21, it was the Yellowjackets that were high-stepping after a 6-2 win at the Fanetti Community Center. The teams traded goals over the first 23 minutes of the game. The Yellowjackets' Jordan Neduzak opened the scoring at 8:38 of the first period, but Stout's (9-5-4) Karl Andersen answered that goal less than two minutes later, with assists from Nolan Kirley and Tom Schmidt. Superior went into the locker room with a one goal lead when Cal Miska scored with about five minutes left in the first stanza. The Blue Devils answered the call early in the second period when Jordan Stejskal scored his first goal of the season at the 2:40 mark of the second period to knot the score at 2-2. Stout's jubilation was short-lived. Jimmy Hughes scored two minutes later and the Yellowjackets never trailed again. The 'Jackets scored on a 5-on-3 midway through the period, then added two more goals in the final period. | Game Story and Stats

THE SERIES: The Yellowjackets hold a 55-21-5 lead in the series.


SCOUTING UW-EAU CLAIRE: The Blugolds are ranked seventh in the latest D3hockey.com Division III poll.As a team, the Blugolds are averaging 4.0 goals per contest and giving up 1.9 goals, both Top 10 marks nationally.  The Blugolds lead the WIAC and are second nationally in power play percentage (.301) and have scored 22 power play goals. Adam Knochenmus leads the league in total points, with 16 goals and 12 assists. Knochenmus is fifth in Division III in goals. He leads the league in power play goals with six and has recorded two hat tricks this season. Goalie Tyler Green is posting the best GAA in the league, 1.69, and has a saves percentage of .948, tops in the league and fifth in the WIAC. With two shutouts to his name this year, Green has an 8-4-0 record. The Blugolds are currently tied for second in the WIAC with UW-Stevens Point.

UW-Eau Claire welcomes back 21 letterwinners from a season ago and is slotted for second in the five-team league race. The Blugolds return three of their top-four point scorers in senior forward Ethan Nauman (20 goals, 13 assists, 33 points), along with junior forwards Brandon Wahlin (11 goals, 21 assists, 32 points) and Patrick Moore (8 goals, 21 assists, 29 points). Nauman's 33 points and 20 goals topped the conference, while Wahlin's 32 points and 21 assists tied for second. Returning in goal are junior Jay Deo and senior Taylor Green, who split time a season ago and each registering nine victories. Green led the WIAC with a 1.99 goals against average and .929 saves percentage. The 2015-16 schedule features a trip to Tempe, Ariz., to face NCAA Division I Arizona State University. | 2015-16 Statistics

THE BLUGOLDS LAST TIME OUT: The Blugolds defeated UW-Stevens Point in overtime.In a phenomenal hockey game full of countless momentum swings, the Blugolds dug deep in a must-win game in terms of postseason hopes led by Patrick Moore who contributed a hat trick including the game-winning goal in overtime. The night before, the Blugolds lost a 2-1 decision at UW-River Falls. | UW-Stevens Point Story and Stats | UW-River Falls Story and Stats

LAST TIME EAU CLAIRE AND STOUT MET: Adam Knochenmus scored a school record five consecutive goals to open the game and the Blugolds went on to a 7-0 win over Stout, Dec. 3, in Menomonie. | Game Story and Statistics

THE SERIES: The Blugolds hold a 37-33-3 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, 5th; UW-Eau Claire, 9th; UW-River Falls, 12th; MSOE, 14th. St. Scholastica, 15th.  Augsburg is receving votes. The Blue Devils made one appearance in the poll this season, that coming on Jan. 18 when they received five votes. | USCHO.com Division III Poll

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

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.

AWARDS AND HONORS: Senior forward Jake Useldinger was selected as the WIAC and UW-Stout/Northwestern Mutual athlete of the week after scoring three goals and two assists over two games against St. Thomas and Saint Mary's University, Jan. 15-16...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 (220-274-34) 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. . 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). UW-Eau Claire: Matt Loen enters his eighth season as head coach at Eau Claire. In 2012-2013 Loen led the Blugolds to win the NCAA Division III National Championship in Lake Placid, New York. That year, Loen was named the USCHO and D3Hockey.com National Coach of the Year. The Blugolds also won the NCHA and WIAC Conference Championships in 2012-2013.


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. .

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, receiving five votes. A tie and two straight losses dropped the Blue Devils out of the poll. 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. | USCHO.com Division III poll

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 play their final regular season games of the year when they host UW-Stevens Point, Tuesday, Feb. 2 and UW-River Falls, Thursday, Feb. 4. The Blue Devils will wrap up the regular season the following week by going to Stevens Point and River Falls.