Hockey Preview: Stout to host Superior Friday

Blue Devil home games: Live Stats | Live Video | Live Audio vs. UW-Eau Claire

THIS WEEK'S GAMES: It's all conference play from here on out as the Blue Devils (10-8-2, 2-1-0 WIAC) will host UW-Eau Claire (14-4-3, 3-1-0 WIAC), Thursday, Jan. 26, and UW-Superior (6-12-1, 0-2-0 WIAC), Friday, Jan. 27, for the second time this season.  the Blue Devils find themselves in a position to move into a tie for first place in the WIAC. Standing in their way are the UW-Superior Yellowjackets. The two teams met in December in Superior with the Blue Devils taking a 5-3 win. If the Blue Devils take a win over the Yellowjackets, they would move to 3-1-0 in league play and move into a tie for the top spot with UW-Stevens Point. The Pointers are idle this weekend.

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. The UW-Eau Claire at UW-Stout game will be available as a live audio stream by WMEQ radio.

A LOOK AT UW-STOUT:

• Blue Devil senior forward Riley Colvard has scored a team-high nine goals, a career high. Over his first three seasons, Colvard scored seven total goals.
• Freshman forward Colton Brausen is right behind Colvard with eight goals. Brausen's eight goals are the most by a Blue Devil freshman since Matt Morin scored 10 in a complete 31 game season in 2008-09.
• All-time Blue Devil leading scorers Scott Motz and Derek Hanson lead the freshmen scorers since Stout returned to varsity action in 1996. During the 2006-07 season as freshmen, Motz led the team with 18 goals and Hanson scored 12. Four of the top six scorers for this year's Blue Devils are freshmen.
• In addition to Brausen, Jack Forbort has three goals and seven assists. Adam Kresl has four goals and six assists. Connor Valesano has six goals and three assists.
• Senior Justin Moody has a team-best nine assists to go along with his three goals for 12 points.
• The Blue Devils are averaging 2.9 goals per contest, and are giving up 3.1.
• 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.
• Complete Blue Devil 2016-17 Statistics

BLUE DEVILS BETWEEN THE PIPES

• Coming off a solid performance last night against UW-Eau Claire, Spencer Viele is posting a team-best GAA of 2.58 and a saves percentage of .911 and extended his record to 6-1-0.
• Freshman Tommi Ahlgren is currently 3-6-2 with a GAA of 2.99 and a saves percentage of .904, seeing time in 12 games.
• With three appearances, Etienne Roy has a GAA of 3.91 with a saves percentage of .848.

BLUE DEVIL SPECIAL TEAMS

• The Blue Devils power play is currently had 23.5 percent (19-81) and the penalty kill is at 84.2 percent (16-101).

FANTASTIC FRESHMEN

• In last week's two games, four different Blue Devil freshmen scored all of the combined four goals. Austin Jackson, Adam Kresl and Connor Valesano scored in the 3-0 win over Concordia, and Colton Brausen scored Stout's single goal in a tie with St. Thomas.
• Four of the top scorers for the Blue Devils this year are freshmen. Brausen is second on the team with seven goals and seven assists.Jack Forbort has three goals and seven assists. Connor Valesano has six goals and three assists and Adam Kresl has four goals and five assists.

BLUE DEVILS LAST TIME OUT

• After giving up a goal in the first couple of minutes of the game, Spencer Viele shut down UW-Eau Claire last night as the Blue Devils took a 2-1 win over the Blugolds here. Colton Brausen scored, with assists by Riley Colvard and Adam Kresl late it the period to tie the game. After a scoreless second period, Brausen assisted on Colvard's game-winning-goal 20 seconds into the third period. Viele finished the night with 25 saves. The win extended Stout unbeaten streak to four games. Stout last season tied the Blugolds 2-2 in Eau Claire. Stout's last win over Eau Claire came Jan. 31, 2015, a 4-3 decision. Stout's last win over Eau Claire in Menomonie came Oct. 28, 2011, a 5-2 win.
• Complete Story and Statistics
• The Blue Devils tied with St. Thomas, 1-1, in a game at the Xcel Energy Center, Jan. 21. Colton Brausen scored Stout's goal with about two minutes remaining in the first period. The Tommies scored in the second period and that would be the end of the scoring. Tommi Ahlgren recorded 36 saves. Stout put 25 shots on frame.
• Complete Story and Statistics.

Game Stats Tracker

SCOUTING UW-EAU CLAIRE

• The Blugolds enter tonight's game ranked sixth in the latest USHCO.com top 15 poll and are coming off a 4-1 non-conference win over St. Olaf.
• The Blugolds are the top power play team in the league, making good on 22-of-80 opportunities, scoring 27.5 percent of the time. On the reverse side, the Blugolds allow goals 14.9 (14-94) percent of the team when they play short, second only behind UW-River Falls.
• Patrick Moore is the league's leading scorer, popping in 12 goals and a league-best 20 assists. Mac Jansen has driven home 11 goals. Todd Koritzinsky and Gerret Clemment each have nine goals. David Henry has 11 assists and Colotn Wolter and Lucas Kohls each have 10 assists.
• Jay Deo has started 21 consectutive games and has worked all but 21 minutes in goal. Deo has a GAA of 2.24 and a saves percentage of .907.
• Adam Knochenmus was selected as the WIAC player of the after scoring a power play goal and an assist in a 4-2 win over UW-River Falls. In a 3-2 loss at UW-Stevens Point, he scored a goal in the third period to bring UW-Eau Claire within a goal.
• Statistics

LAST TIME OUT

• Garret Clemment gave the Blugolds a lift by scoring consecutive goals to stave off any upset attempt by St. Olaf Tuesday in 4-1 Eau Claire win.
  Todd Koritzinsky put Eau Claire up early in the first, but St. Olaf tied the score five minutes into the second period. Clemment broke the tie at 18:58 of the second, then gave the Blugolds a 3-1 lead at 10:57 of the second. Leading scorer Patrick Moore padded his totals with an empty net late.
• Game Story and Statistics

WHEN STOUT AND EAU CLAIRE LAST MET:

• 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 Dec. 1 at Hobbs Ice Arena.
• The Blugolds jumped out to 4-0 lead before the Blue Devils 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.
• Story and Stats

THE SERIES:

• Eau Claire leads the series 38-33-4

SCOUTING UW-SUPERIOR

• Anton Svennsson leads the Yellowjackets in scoring with eight goals and 14 assists.
• Daniel Litschke has a league-best 14 goals, with five coming on the power play.
• Eric Shand has two goals, but 12 assists
• Jordan Neduzak has scored two hat tricks this season, bringing his points total to eight goals and nine assists. Litschke and Jared Dedenback have also scored a hat trick this season.
• Statistics

LAST TIME OUT

• UW-Superior battled for 60 minutes with the No. 5 ranked team in the nation, but UW-Stevens Point scored with just 53.7 seconds remaining to edge out the Yellowjackets 3-2 in a rare Tuesday night non-conference tilt at Wessman Arena in Superior.
• The teams both traded goals in each the first and second periods, with Stevens Point scoring first in each period. Jordan Neduzak scored in the first for the Yellowjackets and Viktor Sallhag scored in the second.
• Kyle Miller recorded 30 saves for the Yellowjackets and Max Milosek made 23 saves for the Pointers.
• Game Story and Statistics

WHEN STOUT AND SUPERIOR LAST MET:

• UW-Stout survived a third period shootout, coming out on top of UW-Superior, 5-3, Dec. 2 at Wessman Arena.
• After only one goal in the first two periods, that coming from the Blue Devils' Dylan Zins at 15:48 of the first period, Zins' first goal of the season, the teams combined for seven third period goals - all by different players.
• Story and Stats

THE SERIES:

• UW-Superior leads the series, 57-23-4

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, 5th; UW-Eau Claire, 6th, and Augsburg, 11th,. St. Thomas (2 pt), and St. Scholastica (4) are 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:

• Alex Toscano was selected the UW-Stout/DigiCopy Athlete of the Week, Jan. 16, after scoring two goals in the third period against Saint Mary's University
• 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 (243-289-37) 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.

UW-EAU CLAIRE HEAD COACH MATT LOEN

• Matt Loen enters his ninth season as head coach. The Blugolds ended their 2015-16 season tying for first in the WIAC with a 5-2-1 record, and a 15-6-6 record overall.
• 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.

UW-SUPERIOR HEAD COACH RICHARD MCKENNA

• Richard McKenna is in his first year as the head coach of the Yellowjackets.
• McKenna comes to the Yellowjackets following a season as the head coach and general manager of the New Jersey Titans of the North American Hockey League (NAHL). He led the Titans to a record of 34-22-4 and a second place finish in the NAHL's East Division in 2015-16.

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.

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: The Blue Devils will travel west to UW-River Falls, Thursday, Feb. 2 for a 7 p.m. contest, then head the other direction to take on UW-Stevens Point, Friday, Feb. 3.