Hockey Preview: Blue Devils host CUW Friday, Saturday after two weeks off

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THIS WEEK'S GAMES: The Blue Devils (5-6-1, 2-0-0 WIAC) had nearly two weeks off before returning to action Friday, Dec. 15 and Saturday, Dec. 16 when they host Concordia University-Wisconsin (7-3-1, 2-4-0 NCHA) in a weekend series. The teams will meet at 7 p.m. on Friday and the Saturday game is a 4 p.m. matinee. 

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:

• The Blue Devils return two seniors, defenseman and team captain Jordan Stejskal and goalie Etienne Roy, who transferred to Stout last season. Stout has five juniors, but 12 sophomores and nine freshmen. Twelve on the roster are first year players for the Blue Devils.
• Mathias Ahman and Hunter Anderson lead the Blue Devils in scoring, with both tallying nine points on an identical four goals and five assists.
• Conner Valesano has eight points, with two goals and a team-best six assists.
• Connor Chambers, Alex Toscano, Konnar Dechaine, Jack Forbort, Kyle Sylvester and Dylan Zins each have two goals. Chambers and Toscano each have four assists, with Dechaine, Forbort, Sylvester and Zins with three assists.
• Lucas Carroll has three goals, with one even strength goal, one power play and one short-handed goal. .
• Mathias Ahman has three power play goals, with Alex Toscano and Kyle Sylvester notching two apiece.
• The Blue Devils have 14 players who have scored at least one goal, 16 players who have scored at least one assist and 17 players with at least one point.
• Complete Blue Devil 2017-18 Statistics

BLUE DEVILS BETWEEN THE PIPES

• Tommi Ahlgren has figured into eight decisions this season, and has dropped his goals against average to 2.74 while posting a saves percentage of 897.  Last season, Ahlgren figured into 12 decisions, finishing with a save percentage of .901 and a team-best 3.04 goals against average (GAA), fourth-best in the WIAC. Ahlgren's first appearance of the 2017-18 season did not go well, and the native of Finland lasted just one period, surrendering two goals against Concordia-Moorhead. Ahlgren has worked eight games, recording a 2.74 goals against average and a saves percentage of .897.
• With three appearances last season, Etienne Roy finished with a GAA of 3.91 with a saves percentage of .848. This season, Roy has made three appearances with two starts and one long relief outing, recording 69 saves (92.0 saves percentage) and a GAA of 2.28, second in the WIAC.

BLUE DEVIL SPECIAL TEAMS

• The  Blue Devils power play is 20 percent (11-55) and the penalty kill is 85.5 (8-55). Stout has taken 71 penalties thus far this year and average 13.25 minutes per game.

BLUE DEVILS LAST TIME OUT

• In a wild finish at the Fanetti Community Center, UW-Stout finished off WIAC foe UW-Eau Claire in the first WIAC matchup of the season. Hunter Anderson scored two goals in the first period as the Blue Devils saw a 4-0 score going into the first intermission. The Blugolds scored the only goal in the second period to make it 4-1. The last five minutes was a one for the books. Tommi Ahlgren made a great pad save on a penalty shot, a five on three power play for the Blue Devils, and a couple penalty kills. Eau Claire scored a power play goal with just over two minutes to play to make the score 4-2. 30 seconds later when the Blugolds' goalie was pulled to give them an extra attacker, Eau Claire would find the back of the net again to make it 4-3. The Blue Devils would hold on with key saves by Ahlgren and great defense. Tommi Ahlgren finished the game with 20 saves and stopped every shot when the Blue Devils were at even strength.
• Two days after a WIAC showdown with UW-Eau Claire, the Blue Devils were host to another WIAC opponent in UW-Superior. The Blue Devils needed a third period rally to overcome a one goal deficit to beat the Yellowjackets. The Blue Devils scored two goals in the first six minutes of the third period to come from behind to get their second consecutive WIAC win. The first goal was scored by Konnar Dechaine with only two minutes to play in the third period to tie the score at one a piece. With the momentum swinging the Blue Devils' way, Stout found themselves on a power play at the 4:28 mark of the third period. With time ticking down on the power play, Lucas Carroll found the back of the net to give the Blue Devils a 2-1 lead. The goal would be the difference maker in the game. Tommi Ahlgren faced a lot of tough shots, but would only let up one goal as he would get the win in net. Ahlgren ended with 32 saves in the game.

Game Stats Tracker

SCOUTING CONCORDIA UNIVERSITY (WIS.)

• The Falcons are 7-3-1 overall, 4-2-0 in the NCHA. Concordia was receiving votes in the Dec. 4 USCHO.com Division III poll, but dropped out after their loss to UW-Stevens Point.
• Josh Adkins is the team's points leader with 11 points on four goals and a team-best seven assists. Dante Hahn leads the team in goals with six to go with his four assists. Braydon Barker and Jim Pearson each have two goals and six assists.
• In the net, Nick Malvin figured into nine decisions (5-3-1) and a has a goals against average of 2.69 with a saves percentage of .902. Jack Romanuik has played in four games with a 2-0-0 record on a 0.81 GAA and a saves percentage of .962.
• Concordia's losses this year have come to No. 1 St. Norbert, No. 9 UW-Stevens Point and unranked Aurora University. The team's tie came against St. John's University.
• CUW won a program-best 13 games last year and returns plenty from the 2016-17 squad. Among those returning for the Falcons are six of the top seven scorers from last season. Sophomores Dante Hahn and Jim Pearson led CUW with 17 points last year, while Josh Adkins and Adam Fauchoux each recorded 16 points. Connor Hogg (16 points) and Stefen Seel (14 points in 15 games) also are talented returners for the Falcons.
• The Falcons have three goaltenders who saw action in 2017-18 back in the fold this winter. Jack Romanuik won nine games last year, while Nick Malvin impressed in a weekend sweep over St. Norbert last season. Nate Eminger also saw action towards the end of the year and defeated Northland in the season finale.
• 2017-18 Falcon Statistics

LAST TIME OUT

• Concordia Wisconsin traveled to No. 9 UW-Stevens Point for a cross conference battle that resulted in a 5-3 Falcons loss. The Pointers were able to score two goals in the third period that propelled them to victory.
• - UWSP was able to strike first with a quick goal from Drew McLean only 4:12 into the first period. The Falcons responded with a great shorthanded goal from junior Adam Fauchoux that tied the game at one goal apiece.In a 1-1 game power plays were key as the Pointers converted on a shorthanded Falcons defense and were able to extend the lead to one goal bringing the score to 2-1 in the second period.
• UWSP scored again just over two minutes later with a second goal from Drew McLean that pushed the lead to 3-1 in favor of the Pointers.
• Down by two scores Concordia Wisconsin was able to rally with two goals within minutes of each other, the first goal came from junior Connor Hogg  who fired it in the back of the net with 18:12 in the second period and shortly after sophomore Jim Pearson was able shoot one past Max Milosek to tie the game and give the momentum back to the Falcons heading into the crucial final period.  
• The third period got off to a good start for the Pointers as they were able to score quickly with a goal only 1:38 into the deciding period. UWSP was able to hold on and not allow another Falcons goal, while also netting a final goal on an open net with seconds to play to clinch the victory.
• Fauchoux finished with one goal and one assist, along with Hogg and Pearson who scored one goal each. Sophomore Dante Hahn ), freshmen Braydon Barker and sophomore Jake Switzer all finished with one assist on the night.
• Game Story and Statistics

WHEN STOUT AND CONCORDIA UNIVERSITY LAST MET

• Early in the season, the Blue Devils lost a close game to Concordia University, 3-2. Conner Valesano scored with just over two minutes remaining in the game to pull UW-Stout to within one goal, but the Blue Devils could get only one more shot on frame in the remainder of the game falling to Concordia at the Ozaukee Ice Center in Mequon. Stout outshot Concordia, 32-25.
• Nov. 19, 2016, Game and Statistics
• A couple months later, Concordia would come into the Fanetti Community Center in Menomonie. Down 1-0, Stout scored two goals in the second period and went on to a 3-1 win over visiting Concordia University (Wis.). Freshmen Adam Kresl, Conner Valesano, and Austin Jackson would all score in the contest.
• Jan. 20, 2017, Game and Statistics

THE SERIES:

• UW-Stout currently holds a 7-2-0 record against Concordia University (Wis.). The Falcons have won two of the last three meetings.

USCHO.com TOP 15 DIVISION III POLL: Blue Devil 2017-18 opponents ranking in the Top 15 in the latest USHCO.com Division III poll are: Augsburg 11th, UW-Stevens Point, 8th, and MSOE 14th. UW-Eau Claire and St. John's University are receiving votes. | USCHO.com Division III Poll

TEAM CAPTAINS:  Captains for the 2017-18 season are Jordan Stejskal, Adam Kresl and Mathias Ahman.

ATHLETE OF THE WEEK: Tommi Ahlgren, So, Tampere, Finland


AWARDS AND HONORS:

• Goalie Tommi Ahlgren posted two conference wins to open the WIAC season, a 4-3 victory over conference favorite UW-Eau Claire on Nov. 29, and a 2-1 triumph over UW-Superior on Dec. 1. Ahlgren, a sophomore from Tampere, Finland, was selected as the WIAC athlete of the week, Dec. 5. Ahlgren recorded 20 saves against Eau Claire and 32 against Superior.

UW-STOUT COACH TERRY WATKINS

• The 2017-18 season marks Terry Watkins' (248-300-38) 22nd 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. Watkins played in UW-Stout's first-ever game, but he was a member of the Blue Devils' opponents, St. Paul Groveland, Jan. 19, 1969. St. Paul beat the Blue Devils, 8-4. Watkins enrolled at the Stout the following school year and joined the hockey team.
• 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.

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. Both Aurora and MSOE are members of the Northern Collegiate Hockey Association (NCHA).

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: Lucas Carroll vs. St. John's University, Nov. 4, 2017 (4-5)
• 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: 45, Tommi Ahlgren vs. Gustavus Adolphus, Jan. 7, 2017
• 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: 5 vs. Gustavus Adolphus, Nov. 11, 2017
• 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

HOME ICE: 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 host St. Olaf College, Friday, Jan. 5 at 7 p.m., then will host Bethel University, Saturday, Jan. 6 in an 8 p.m. exhibition game.