Stout scores three power play goals, but still fall to Eau Claire

UW-Eau Claire 7, UW-Stout 3

EAU CLAIRE (December 1, 2016) - UW-Stout scored three power play goals and held UW-Eau Claire to only one power play goal in three opportunities, but it wouldn't be enough as the Blugolds took a 7-3 WIAC-opening win Thursday at Hobbs Ice Arena.

The Blugolds (7-1-2, 1-0-0 WIAC) jumped out to 4-0 lead before the Blue Devils (4-5-0, 0-1-0 WIAC) got on the board just before the end of the second period. Eau Claire opened the game with a power play goal by Jake Hopfner at 7:45 of the first period, then wasted no time taking a 2-0 lead less than a minute later.  The Blugolds scored at 8:52 of the second and again at 15:59 for the four goal lead.

Stout finally broke onto the scoreboard, taking advantage of one of eight Blugold penalties. Connor Valesano scored just before the second period break t 19:33, getting an assist from Mathias Ahman, who was playing in his first game of the season due to injury, and Connor Bump.

In less than a minute of game, but at 00:51 of the third period, Colton Brausen scored his second goal of the season and his first special teams goal. Ahman notched his second assist of the game and freshman Jack Forbort got his fourth assist of the season and Stout trailed 4-2.

The lamp would light a total of five times in the final period, but three times it would light for the 11th-ranked Blugolds. The Blugolds ran out to a 6-2 lead on goals by Mac Jansen at 2:52 and Colton Wolter at 12:34. 

Blue Devil senior Shayne McLaughlin pulled Stout to within 6-3 with a power play goal at 14:30, on an assist by Justin Moody. The Blugolds made it a four-goal game with Jansen's second goal of the game with about six minutes left in the game.

The Blue Devils used all three goalies tonight, recording 18 total saves. Tommi Ahlgren took the loss, giving up the first three goals of the game and making 10 saves in nearly 29 minutes of work. Senior Spencer Viele came on in the second period, giving up three goal with seven saves. Junior transfer Etienne Roy made his first appearance for the Blue Devils, giving up the final goal and recording a save in seven minutes.

The Blugolds' Jay Deo went the distance, recording 23 saves. Eau Claire's Garrett Clemment recorded two goals and Patrick Moore notched three saves. Stout outshot Eau Claire, 26-25.

At the Blue Devil Club luncheon earlier in the day, coach Terry Watkins talked about how the number of penalties has been declining throughout the early part of the season and the Blue Devils were sent to the penalty box to a season-low four times.

The Blue Devils return to conference action Friday, Dec. 2 when they travel to UW-Superior for a 7 p.m. contest at Wessman Arena.