Lindegard's two mini-game goals sends Stout to semi-finals

UW-Superior 5, UW-Stout 3 | UW-Stout 3, UW-Superior 2 (mini-game)

SUPERIOR (February 20, 2016) - Craig Lindegard scored two goals in a first round mini-game to give UW-Stout a 3-2 extra game win at UW-Superior and send the Blue Devils to the WIAC semi-finals next weekend where they will face UW-River Falls.

The Blue Devils (10-12-5) had taken the first game in the series Friday night, but after the teams traded goals Stout took a 3-2 lead in the second period before the Yellowjackets (9-15-3) scored twice in the third period to take a 4-2 lead. The 'Jackets would get an empty net goal to seal the win, forcing the 20-minute mini-game.

Stout took the momentum back early in the mini-game when Tom Schmidt scored a wrap-around goal at 1:28 of the mini-game. The Yellowjackets came back on a breakaway to tie the score minutes later.

Lindegard scored twice over an eight minutes span of the extra period to give Stout a 3-1 lead, scoring at 5:27 and again at 12:48. The Yellowjackets got a goal with four seconds remaining with an extra attacker on the ice, but Stout won the draw on the ensuing faceoff to seal the win.

The statistics from a mini-game do not count and the win-loss does not apply to either teams' records.

In the opening game, Stout got on the board first when Jake Useldinger netted his 10th goal of the season at 13:26 in the first. Justin Moody and Danny Ray had the assists on the goal.
 
The Yellowjackets tied it up at 7:27 in the second when Dan Kovar scored his second of the season. Eric Shand and Jordan Neduzak assisted on the power play goal.
 
Stout retook the lead at 11:21 in the second when Dylan Zins netted his third of the season. Sam Naegele and Gavin Smith assisted on the even strength goal.
 
The Yellowjackets once again answered, this time at 13:54 in the second when Jordan Neduzak scored his 11th of the season. Anton Svensson and Ian Ecklund had the assists on the goal.
 
Stout took the lead back again at 18:41 in the second on Joe Kleven's sixth goal of the season. Useldinger and Lindegard had the assists on the goal.
 
The Yellowjackets tied it up at 1:13 in the third on Jimmy Hughes's fourth goal of the season. Then the Yellowjackets took their first lead of the game at 8:45 in the third on Daniel Litchke's eight of the season. Owen Stauber had the assist on the even strength goal.
 
Jordan Neduzak had an empty netter at 19:53 to cap the scoring for the Yellowjackets.
 
Bryce Fink started in net for the Yellowjackets, allowing three goals while making 24 saves. He ends the season 3-5-3. Nick Schmit started in net for the Blue Devils, allowing four goals while making 38 saves. Schmit is now 4-6-2 on the season.

The Blue Devils will travel to top-seeded River Falls, Friday, Feb. 26 and Saturday, Feb. 27. The puck will drop both nights at 7:05 p.m.