Hockey Preview: One more road game, then hockey team comes home

Blue Devil home games: Live Stats | Live Video | at St. Thomas: Live Stats | Live Video  

THIS WEEK'S GAMES: The Blue Devils (7-7-1, 1-1-0 WIAC) will be at the University of St. Thomas, (7-4-3, 6-1-1 MIAC), Friday, Jan. 13, then return home to host Saint Mary's University, (8-5-2, 5-3-0 MIAC) Saturday, Jan. 14. Both games will be at 7:30 p.m. Stout was last home Dec. 13.

WEBCASTS: All UW-Stout home games are scheduled to be broadcast in a live video stream by Blue Devil Video. Live Stats will also be available for home games.

A LOOK AT UW-STOUT:

• Senior Riley Colvard leads the team in scoring with seven goals and five assists.
• Freshman Colton Brausen has seven assists and five goals, matching Colvard's point total of 12. Brausen leads all league freshmen in scoring.  Senior Justin Moody also has eight assists to go along with his three goals.
• Connor Valesano trails Colvard in goals with five goals. He also has eight assists.
• Sixteen different Blue Devils have scored at least one goal this year. Twenty different Blue Devils have scored at least one assist. Twenty-one Blue Devils have recorded at least one point so far this season.
• At the halfway point last year, Stout had scored 34 goals (2.8 goal/game) over 12 games through December. This season through December, Stout has played 13 games and has 40 goals (3.1 goal/game). The Blue Devils have scored 15 power play goals at this point, compared to 10 last year at this point in the season.
• Complete Blue Devil 2016-17 Statistics

BLUE DEVILS BETWEEN THE PIPES

• The Blue Devil goalies were getting roughed up a bit as the first semester of play wrapped up in December. Freshman Tommi Ahlgren and senior Spencer Viele have seen the vast majority of the time between the pipes, but junior transfer Etienne Roy made a pair of starts in December. Ahlgren is currently 3-5-1 with a GAA of 3.23 and a saves percentage of .891, seeing time in 11 games. Viele is currently 2-1-0 with a GAA of 3.56 and a saves percentage of .857 across five appearances. Roy is 1-1-0 and has Stout's only shutout of the season, a 3-0 win over St. Olaf College. With three appearances, Roy has a GAA of 3.91 with a saves percentage of .848.

BLUE DEVIL SPECIAL TEAMS

• The Blue Devils power play is currently .250, currently third in the WIAC. The Blue Devils have been killing penalties at an .841 clip, second in the league. Stout has scored 15 power play goals and has given up 13 power play goals. Riley Colvard has three power play goals, tied for sixth in the WIAC. Colton Brausen has Stout's only shorthanded goal of the season and the Blue Devils have given up only one. Brausen is one of only six players in the WIAC to score a shorthanded goal at this point in the season. 

BLUE DEVILS LAST TIME OUT:
 

• Stout drew a 3-3 tie with the Gustavus Gusties on January 7.
• Austin Jackson scored his first goal for the Blue Devils seven minutes into the second period.
• Tommi Algren made a season-high 45 saves in the game.
• Complete Story and Statistics

Game Stats Tracker

SCOUTING UNIVERSITY OF ST. THOMAS:

• St. Thomas sits atop the MIAC standings at 6-1-1.
• Sophomore goalie Joe Morris holds the best MIAC GAA with only 2.13/game.
• Though the Tommies aren't statistically flashy, they are a buttoned up team who wins games when it counts. They capitalize on power plays and penalty kills. They are 6-2-0 when leading at the end of the first, and 9-1-1 when leading after two periods.
• Statistics

LAST TIME OUT

• One night after a wild 6-5 overtime win, the St. Thomas men's hockey team jumped out to an early 1-0 lead, but could not hold on a 2-1 loss to Saint Mary's University on Saturday night at Saint Mary's Ice Arena.
• Story and Statistics

WHEN STOUT AND ST. THOMAS LAST MET:

• Stout mets St. Thomas on the road last season, winning a 5-3 contest, and taking the only matchup of the 2015-16 season.
• The Blue Devils scored three goals in the third period to break a 2-2 tie at the end of the second. Tyler Cayemberg, Jake Useldinger and Gavin Smith scored for Stout.
• Story and Stats

THE SERIES:

• Stout leads the series 11-7-1.
• Over the last five meetings, the Blue Devils are 3-2-0

SCOUTING SAINT MARY'S UNIVERSITY :

• St. Mary's is one of the most powerful offenses in the MIAC, as well as, the second team in the MIAC standings at 5-3-0 in conference.
• Bob Kinne, who was second on the team last year in scoring, leads the Cardinals this year with 10 goals and seven assists. Jay Heinle has pitched in eight goals and four assists. Nick Albergo, Kelvin Walz and Martin Gruse, last year's scoring leader, each have nine assists. Chad Cesarz has scored six goals.
• The Cardinals are averaging 3.3 goals per contest and giving up 2.7
• Phil Heinle has started nine games between the pipes, with a 4-3-2 record and a GAA of 2.85. Aaron Davis has a 3-2-0 record with a 2.59 GAA.
• Statistics

LAST TIME OUT

• When the Saint Mary's University of Minnesota men's hockey team faces St. Thomas, one thing has become blatantly obvious—the game is going to be a nailbiter. For the sixth time in the teams' last seven meetings, Saturday evening's showdown between the top two teams in the Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference leaders was decided by one goal or less.
• The Cardinals downed the Tommies, 2-1.
• Saint Mary's will be at UW-Stevens Point Friday, Jan. 13 before traveling to Menomonie.
• Story and Statistics

WHEN STOUT AND SAINT MARY'S LAST MET:

• Stout grabbed a high-scoring win against the Cardinal last season. Stout doubled St. Mary's 6-3 in Winona, Minn. last January.
• Jake Useldinger scored two goals in the game. Justin Moody added a goal and an assist to his stat line. Stout collected a pair of empty net goals. Spencer Viele picked up the win, turning away 30 shots. 
• The Cardinals opened the scoring three minutes into the game, but Stout answered back with two first period goals before the Cardinals tied the game just before the first period buzzer. Moody scored early and Useldinger scored late in the second period to give Stout a 4-2 lead. The Cardinals pulled to within 4-3 on a Jonathon Elliott score three minutes into the third. Stout got the two empty netters in the final minute.
• Story and Stats

THE SERIES:

• Stout leads the series 12-11-0
• Over the last five meetings, the Blue Devils are 5-0-0

BLUE DEVILS/TOMMIES AT XCEL CENTER: UW-Stout will meet the University of St. Thomas at the Xcel Energy Center Saturday, Jan. 21 at 1:30 p.m. as part of a Hockey Day in Minnesota. The day will feature a game with the Minnesota Wild taking on the Anaheim Ducks at 8 p.m. The Blue Devils and the Tommies will get the day underway at 1:30 p.m. There is no cost for the NCAA Division III game. The Blue Devils last played at the Xcel Energy Center during the 2011-12 season in a Jan. 21, 2012 contest with St. Norbert College.Following the Stout game, Blue Devil fans and alumni will gather at McGovern's Pub to buy your own food and beverages. (225 7th St. W, St. Paul, MN 55102). The Wild and the Ducks will get underway at 8 p.m. Links to purchase the first-come, first-served tickets are listed below and above. | More information

USCHO.com TOP 15 DIVISION III POLL: Blue Devil 2016-17 opponents ranking in the Top 15 in the latest USHCO.com Division III poll are: UW-Stevens Point, 3rd; UW-Eau Claire, 4th, Augsburg, 12th, and St. Thomas, 15th. Concordia-Moorhead (5 pts) is receiving votes. | USCHO.com Division III Poll

TEAM CAPTAIN Captains for the 2016-17 season are Derek Sand, Justin Moody and Shayne McLaughlin. Sand and Moody are captains for the second consecutive year.


AWARDS AND HONORS: 2016-17:

• Mathias Ahman was selected the UW-Stout/DigiCopy Athlete of the Week, Dec. 5 after notching two assists in his first game back from injury this season against UW-Eau Claire, then scored his first goal of the season the following night at UW-Superior...
• After dishing off three assists in the first period against Finlandia University in the season opener and adding another assist the following night, freshman defenseman Trent Olson was selected as the UW-Stout/Digi-Copy Athlete of the Week, Oct. 31..

UW-STOUT COACH TERRY WATKINS

• Terry Watkins (239-287-35) is in his 21st 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. THOMAS COACH JEFF BOESER

• A key figure in UST ice hockey success for more than three decades, Jeff Boeser (pronounced BESS-er) was named head coach in April 2010 following the retirement of 23-year head coach Terry Skrypek.
• The 2016-17 campaign marks his seventh season as the Tommies head coach, and he's been an integral part of UST's current streak of 34 consecutive winning seasons.
• In his first season as head coach, Boeser led the Tommies to a second-place conference finish with a 9-5-2 record. He came back in 2011-12 with an MIAC championship team that ranked as high as No. 5 in the national polls. The Tommies finished 18-6-2 overall and lost 3-1 on the road in the NCAA playoffs to eventual champion St. Norbert. Boeser was named MIAC Coach of the Year after his Toms won 11 in a row and claimed the conference title by eight points. 

SAINT MARY'S UNIVERSITY COACH BILL MOORE

• Bill Moore is the Saint Mary's University men's hockey coach, a position he has held since the 2008-09 school year
• In 2014-15, Moore guided the Cardinals to their first MIAC post-season appearance since 2003-04. The Cardinals, who finished second in the regular-season conference standings in 2014-15, reached the MIAC Playoff championship game, falling to Hamline 4-2.
• Moore's 2014-15 Cardinals reached the conference tournament title game for the first time since 1994-95—and finished with a 15-10-2 overall record, their most wins since that same 1994-95 campaign—earning the Cardinal head coach MIAC Coach of the Year honors
• A 1985 graduate of Saint Mary's, where he was both a standout soccer and hockey player, Moore has coached at both the collegiate and high school levels. He spent three seasons at Saint Mary's from 1987-1990, while also serving as the head coach at Tartan, South St. Paul and Woodbury High Schools.

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.
• St. Thomas and St. Mary's  are members of the MIAC

LENDING AN ASSIST: Two different Stout goalies earned assists during the 2015-16 season. Spencer Viele was awarded an assist Nov. 6 against Bethel University, then added a second assist Jan. 29 at UW-Superior and Chase Hollander earned an assist Nov. 21, 2015, against Concordia. The three 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: Colton Brausen vs. St. Olaf College, Dec. 10, 2016 (6-on-4)
• 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: Spencer Viele vs. UW-Superior, Jan. 29, 2016
• 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. St. Olaf College (3-0), Dec. 10, 2016; Gustavus Adolphus (0-0), Nov. 7, 2015
• Stout was shut out: vs. UW-Stevens Point (0-7), Feb. 3, 2016
• 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 poll, albeit it was only one vote in the Oct. 31, 2016 poll. The last time Stout was mentioned was Jan. 18, 2016...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 the following week 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 in 2015 approved renaming the Dunn County Ice Arena 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: Stout will host Concordia-Wisconsin, Friday, Jan. 20 at 7:30 p.m, then will play host to St. Thomas Saturday, Jan. 21 at 1:30 p.m. at the Xcel Energy Center. Following the St. Thomas game, the Blue Devils will host a gathering at a nearby restaurant, then see the Minnesota Wild host the Anaheim Ducks. The entire day is in conjunction with Hockey Day in Minnesota.