Hockey Preview: Stout on road to River Falls, Stevens Point

Blue Devil home games: Live Stats | Watch | at UW-River Falls: Live Stats | Watch | at UW-Stevens Point: Live Stats | Watch | Listen

THIS WEEK'S GAMES: The Blue Devils (10-9-2, 2-2-0 WIAC) will travel west to UW-River Falls (10-10-1, 1-3-0 WIAC), Thursday, Feb. 2 for a 7 p.m. contest, then head the other direction to take on UW-Stevens Point (14-4-3, 3-1-0 WIAC), Friday, Feb. 3.


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:

• A senior and a freshman are leading the Blue Devil in total points. Senior Riley Colvard leads the team in goals with 10 goals and seven assists for 17 points. Freshman linemate Colton Brausen has eight goals and nine assists, to match Colvard. Brausen has assisted on five of Colvard's 10 goals, while Colvard has assisted on four of Brausen's eight goals.
• Four of the top six scorers for the Blue Devils are freshmen. In addition to Brausen, Adam Krels has four goals and seven assists, Jack Forbort has three goals and seven assists and Connor Valesano has six goals and three assists. .
• Senior Justin Moody has a team best 10 assists to go along with his three goals for 13 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

• Freshman Tommi Ahlgren and senior Spencer Viele have seen the vast majority of the time between the pipes.
• Viele is currently 6-1-0 with a GAA of 2.58 and a saves percentage of .911 across nine appearances. Ahlgren is currently 3-7-2 with a GAA of 2.99 and a saves percentage of .903, seeing time in 14 games. Viele is fifth and Ahlgren sixth in GAA in the WIAC.
• 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 22.6 percent (19-84) and the penalty kill is at 84.6 percent (16-104). Stout did not give up a power play goal, nor did they score a power play goal last week against UW-Eau Claire and UW-Superior. Stout has been averaging 6.1 penalties per game, but last week in the two games had only five total penalties.

BLUE DEVILS LAST TIME OUT

• The Blue Devils defeated UW-Eau Claire, 2-1, Jan. 26, then lost to UW-Superior, 4-2, Jan. 27.
• Complete Eau Claire Story and Statistics
• Complete Superior Story and Statistics

Game Stats Tracker

SCOUTING UW-RIVER FALLS

• The Falcons were picked to win the WIAC Championship after a strong finish, falling in the WIAC championship game to eventual national champion UW-Stevens Point. The Falcons were the regular season champion, and returned 15 letterwinners from last year's squad. But the Falcons opened with an 0-4 non-conference start and are currently 1-3-0 in league play.
• River Falls has allowed no goals in overtime, nor have they scored a goal in overtime, but they have only played one overtime game.
• The Falcons are fifth in the WIAC in power play percentage.
• The Falcons have no players in the top 10 in any scoring category, although Michael Lant is tied for second in the league in game winning goals at three. Danny Hamburg and Christian George each have two.
• Ryan Doner has three goals and 10 assists to lead the Falcons in points. Joe Drapluk has a team-high seven goals with four assists. Matt Kontny has three goals and eight assists.
• Zach Quinn has started 17 games in net for the Falcons, with a GAA of 1.79 and a saves percentage of .929, league-best among regular starters in the WIAC.
• Statistics

LAST TIME OUT

• The Falcons broke a 2-2 tie by scoring two goals in about two minutes of action in the second period and then held on in the third period for a 5-2 win over Hamline University.
• Game Story and Statistics

WHEN STOUT AND RIVER FALLS MET LAST YEAR:

• The Blue Devils went 0-3-1 against the top seeded Falcons last year. After two losses during the regular season (L 4-3, Feb. 4, 2016, in Menomonie; L 4-0 Feb. 13, 2016, in River Falls) and met in the second round of the WIAC tournament at River Falls, losing the first game, 3-1, then seeing their season end with a 1-1 tie.
• Game One Story and Stats
• Game Two Story and Stats
• Game Three Story and Stats
• Game Four Story and Stats

THE SERIES:

• River Falls leads the series 75-20-2.
• The Falcons are 9-0-1 in last 10 meetings. The last meeting between the two teams resulted in a tie. The Falcons had won the previous 13 games. Stout's last win over River Falls came Jan. 13, 2012, a 2-1 win in River Falls. Stout's last win in Menomonie over the Falcons was on Feb. 18, 2011 in the first game of the NCHA tournament, a 3-2 win in the then Dunn County Ice Arena. The Falcons won the next night, then won the mini-game to advance.

SCOUTING UW-STEVENS POINT

• The Pointers are coming off a national championship season after finishing second in the WIAC, but beat UW-River Falls in the WIAC tournament game and then went on to earn an NCAA Division III at-large berth. The Pointers were picked to finish second this season in the WIAC.
• The Pointers are the top scoring team in the WIAC (4.0 g/game), 11th nationally.
• Jacob Barber and Lawrence Cornellier are tied for second in the WIAC in goals scored with 14 each. Kyle Sharkey is second in the league in assists with 15 and Cornellier is third with 14. Cornellier ranks second in the league in total points (14/14). Barber tops the league in power play goals with five. Cornellier has two shorthanded goals.
• Goalie Matt Milosek has scored one goal and one assist. In the net, Milosek is 11-3-3, with two shutouts and a GAA of 2.33 with saves percentage of .898.
• Statistics

LAST TIME OUT

• Sophomore forward Tanner Karty scored with less than a minute remaining in regulation to lead the fifth-ranked UW-Stevens Point men's hockey team to a 3-2 non-conference victory over UW-Superior Jan. 24 at Wessman Ice Arena. With just 56 seconds remaining, Karty found the back of the net off assists by Logan Fredericks and Stephan Beauvais to give UW-Stevens Point a late lead over UW-Superior.
• Game Story and Statistics

WHEN STOUT AND STEVENS POINT MET LAST YEAR:

• The Pointers blanked UW-Stout, 7-0, in their first meeting last season, Feb. 2, 2016, in Menomonie, the last time Stout's offense has been shutout, then took a 5-2 win 10 days later in Stevens Point
• Game One Story and Stats
• Game Two Story and Stats

THE SERIES:

• The Blue Devils lead the series with the Pointers, 40-36-3.
• Over the last 10 games, the Pointers hold an 8-2 advantage. Stout's last win over Stevens Point came Feb. 8, 2014, a 4-2 win in Menomonie.

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, 4th; UW-Eau Claire, 8th, and Augsburg, 10th,. St. Thomas (15th), Concordia-Wis (5 votes), and Concordia-Minn (2 votes) 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:

• Riley Colvard was selected the UW-Stout/DigiCopy Athlete of the Week, Jan. 30, after scoring the game-winning goal and an assist in a 2-1 win over UW-Eau Claire.
• 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 (243-290-37) 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-RIVER FALLS HEAD COACH STEVE FREEMAN

• Steve Freeman (366-189-47) is his 21st season as head coach of the Falcons in 2016-17. He has been the driving force and leader of one of the elite powerhouse college hockey programs in the nation. He is the program's all-time leader in games won. In 2016 he led UWRF to the WIAC regular season championship. In 2015 Freeman led the Falcons to the WIAC playoff Championship including a thirteen game winning streak and 20-7-1 overall record.

UW-STEVENS POINT HEAD COACH CHRIS BROOKS

• In five seasons at UW-Stevens Point, Chris Brooks has led the Pointers to a 112-44-13 overall record, while playing in one of the most competitive conferences in the country. In 2016 Brooks led UWSP to its fifth National Championship in program history defeating St. Norbert 5-1 in Lake Placid, N.Y. Brooks has led the Pointers to three consecutive Frozen Four appearances, after finishing as the national runner-up in 2014 and 2015. The 24 wins in 2015-16 are the most by a UWSP team since the 1992-93. Brooks was also named a finalist for the Edward Jeremiah Award, given to the Division III Coach of the Year in each of the last four seasons. In 2016 Brooks was also named DIII Coach of the year by USCHO.com.

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: 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: 6 vs. Saint Mary's (W 6-5), Jan. 14, 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

SCORELESS TIE: If fans were looking for scoring in the UW-Stout/Gustavus Adolphus College game Nov. 7, 2015, they went away disappointed. The scoreless tie with the Gusties was a first for UW-Stout, which has never had a scoreless tie in any of the program's varsity games, stretching back to 1968. Gustavus last season set an NCAA Division III record for ties with eight and one was a scoreless tie. According to Tim Danehy of collegehockeystats.net, scoreless ties are "not common obviously, but not that rare overall" across all divisions, both men and women, and appear to be on the rise. So far this year, six scoreless ties have been reported, but the Stout/Gustavus double goose eggs were the first of the season for Division III men. Last season there were 17 scoreless ties reported to collegehockeystats.net, of which six were Division III men, Danehy said. In 2013-14 there were nine total and 2012-13 had 10 total. The same night UW-Stout and Gustavus were going scoreless, the UW-Eau Claire women and St. Catherine played to a 0-0 decision.

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 play their final conference games of the season when they host UW-Stevens Point, Friday, Feb. 10, at 7:30 p.m., then will close out the regular season when they host UW-River Falls, Saturday, Feb. 11 at 7:30 p.m.