THIS WEEK'S GAMES: The Blue Devils (12-12-2, 3-5-0 WIAC) picked up a 4-3 win over UW-Superior (7-17-2, 1-6-1 WIAC) last night to bring the advantage into tonight's second game of the first round of of the WIAC Tournament. A Stout win or tie would move the Blue Devils to the semi-final round for the second consecutive year. The winner of this series will play at UW-Stevens Point next weekend. A Superior win tonight would send the series into a mini-game, and that's what happened last year as Stout prevailed in the mini-game to advance. The puck is scheduled to drop at 7:30 p.m.
The Blue Devils earned the fourth seed in the tournament, while the Yellowjackets are the fifth seeded team. The winner of the best of two games (with a mini-game, if needed) will advance to face top-seeded UW-Stevens Point, Friday, Feb. 24 and Saturday, Feb. 25 in Stevens Point. Second seeded UW-Eau Claire will host third seeded UW-River Falls.
Ticket prices per game are $7 for adults, $5 for students and senior citizens (62-and-older) and $3 for UW-Stout students. No passes will be accepted.
The Blue Devils and the Yellowjackets split their regular season games this season, each team winning on their opponent's ice. Stout won 5-3 in Superior, Dec. 2, while the Yellowjackets returned the favor in Menomonie, with a 4-2 win Jan. 27.
The teams met last year in the first round of the WIAC tournament in Menomonie. The Blue Devils won the opener, 3-2, but lost the second game the following night, 5-3. The Blue Devils advanced to the second round of the tournament with a 3-2 mini-game win where Craig Lindegard scored two goals.
This will be the fourth time the teams have met in the first round of the WIAC tournament. The Yellowjackets took the first two meetings, beginning in the 2013-14 season.
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UW-STOUT: The line of Riley Colvard, Colton Brausen and Gavin Smith continue to pile up points. Colvard leads the team with 12 goals and 10 assists. Brausen, a freshman, has scored eight goals and has a team-high 12 assists. Smith last night scored the game-winning goal, bringing his totals to four goals and five assists. Smith has scored a goal in each of the last three games. Justin Moody has four goals and 10 assists Adam Kresl has five goals and eight assists. Defenseman Joe Kleven has three goals and 10 assists. . Freshman Tommi Ahlgren and senior Spencer Viele have seen the vast majority of the time between the pipes. Viele is currently 8-4-0 with a GAA of 3.11 and a saves percentage of .901 across 14 appearances. Ahlgren is currently 3-7-2 with a GAA of 3.04 and a saves percentage of .901, seeing time in 15 games. The Blue Devils are averaging 2.8 goals per contest, and are giving up 3.3.
LAST NIGHT UW-Stout came from behind twice for the 4-3 win last night. The Blue Devils fell behind 2-0 in the first period after the Yellowjackets' (Owen Stauber scored at 2:47 and Anton Svensson doubled the score at 8:54. Stout cut the lead in half when senior Karl Andersen scored at 12:38, with assists by Derek Sand and Connor Valesano. The Blue Devils wasted no time tying the score in the second period when Alex Toscano took assists from Adam Kresl and Mathias Ahman only one minute, 41-seconds into the second period. Superior pulled ahead 3-2 when Svensson notched his second goal of the game, this one coming at 11:01 in the second period. In a game that saw only four power play opportunities, Stout took advantage of one late in the second period when Kresl scored at 16:44 with assists from Riley Colvard and Craig Lindegard. Colvard would have a hand in the eventual game winning goal, which came early in the third period. Colvard and Jordan Stejskal assisted Gavin Smith at 3:36 and the Blue Devils would hold off the Yellowjackets the rest of the way. Spencer Viele picked up the win, recording 25 saves. Kyle Miller recorded 29 saves for Superior
SCOUTING UW-SUPERIOR: David Litchke leads the team in goals scored with 15, of which five are power play goals. Litchke also has the team's only shorthanded goal. He has three assists. Anton Svensson picked up two goals and an assist last night, bringing his totals to 13 goals and 16 assists. Jordan Neduzak has nine goals and 10 assists. Eric Shand has two goals and 14 assists. Ian Ecklund has a pair of goals and 10 assists. Viktor Sallhag has four goals and 10 assists. Bruno Birzitis has four goals and nine assists. Matt Audette has contrbuted 10 assists. Kyle Miller has worked 13 games with a 3-8-1 overall record, a 2.68 GAA and a saves percentage of .917. Bryce Fink is 1-5-0 in nine appearances with a GAA of 3.46 and a saves percentage of .844. The Yellowjackets are averaging 2.7 goals per game and giving up 3.5.
LAST YEAR'S FIRST ROUND SERIES: The Blue Devils and the Yellowjackets have met in the opening round of the WIAC tournament the last four years. Last season, the Blue Devils won the opener, 3-2, but lost the second game the following night, 5-3. The Blue Devils advanced to the second round of the tournament with a 3-2 mini-game win where Craig Lindegard scored two goals. Lindegard was selected the D3hockey.com player of the week for his efforts.
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 12 goals and eight assists for 20 points. Freshman linemate Colton Brausen has eight goals and 12 assists. Brausen has assisted on six of Colvard's 12 goals, while Colvard has assisted on four of Brausen's eight goals.
- Four of the top seven scorers for the Blue Devils are freshmen. In addition to Brausen, Both Adam Kresl and Jack Forbort have four goals and seven assists, Connor Valesano has six goals and four assists.
- Senior Justin Moody has four goals and 10 assists. For his career, Moody has 26 goals and 38 assists.
- Joe Kleven had a hand in every goal in a 4-3 win over UW-River Falls. Kleven scored Stout's first goal of the game, then added an assist on the following three goals. The four points is the most by a Blue Devil this season.
- The Blue Devils are averaging 2.8 goals per contest, and are giving up 3.4.
- 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 7-4-0 with a GAA of 3.12 and a saves percentage of .902 across 13 appearances. Ahlgren is currently 3-7-2 with a GAA of 3.04 and a saves percentage of .901, seeing time in 15 games. Ahlgren is fifth and Viele is sixth in the WIAC in GAA..
- 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 at 21.6 percent (22-102) and the penalty kill is at 85.8 percent (17-120). Stout has been averaging 5.6 penalties per game.
BLUE DEVILS LAST TIME OUT
- Joe Kleven had a hand in every goal in a 4-3 win over UW-River Falls in the final regular season game. Kleven scored Stout's first goal of the game, then added an assist on the following three goals. The four points is the most by a Blue Devil this season. Stout fell behind, but Kleven's goal tied the game. Kleven, who was named the WIAC athlete of the week, also assisted Mathias Ahman and Jack Forbort and Gavin Smith on the game winning goal seven minutes into the third period.
- Complete River Falls Story and Statistics
- UW-Stout scored three goals in the third period, but the rally fell short as the Blue Devils were topped by fourth-ranked UW-Stevens Point 7-4 Feb. 10 at the Fanetti Community Center.
- Complete Stevens Point Story and Statistics
Game Stats Tracker
| UW-Stout |
Statistics |
UW-Superior |
- |
- |
| 2.7 |
Goals/game |
2.7 |
- |
- |
| 3.2 |
Goals allowed |
3.4 |
- |
- |
| 21.3 |
Power Play % |
17.5 |
- |
- |
| 85.1 |
Penalty Kill % |
79.2 |
- |
- |
| 1 |
Shutouts |
1 |
- |
- |
SCOUTING UW-SUPERIOR
- The Yellowjackets are the fifth seed in the WIAC Tournament
- Superior has not won a game since they defeated Stout, 4-2, Jan. 27 in Menomonie. The Yellowjackets did tie with UW-River Falls, 1-1, Feb. 9 in River Falls.
- Davide Litchke leads the team in goals scored with 15. He has three assists. Anton Svensson has 11 goals and 15 assists. Eric Shand has two goals, but 14 assists. Litchke is fourth in the WIAC in goals scored and Svensson is fourth in assists. With five power play goals, Litschke is tied for second in the category.
- Kyle Miller has worked 12 games with a 3-7-1 overall record, a 2.56 GAA and a saves percentage of .921. Bryce Fink is 1-5-0 in nine appearances with a GAA of 3.46 and a saves percentage of .844.
- Statistics
LAST TIME OUT
- The Yellowjackets tied UW-River Falls, 1-1, Feb. 9, but lost their regular season finale, 2-0, at UW-Eau Claire.
- UW-Eau Claire scored in the second and third periods to take a 2-0 win, Feb. 10. Eau Claire outshot Superior, 33-22.
- Game Story and Statistics
- Bruno Birzitis scored at 4:26 in the first period and the Yellowjackets carried the lead into the third period before UW-River Falls' Mike Dietrich scored at 12:19 of the third period.
- Game Story and Statistics
WHEN STOUT AND SUPERIOR MET THIS SEASON:
THE SERIES:
- The Yellowjackets lead the series. 58-23-4
- Superior and Stout have meet in the first round of the WIAC tournament each of the last four years, with the 'Jackets holding a 3-1-0 lead.
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, 6th and Augsburg, 11th , St. Thomas 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:
- Joe Kleven was selected the WIAC Athlete of the Week and the UW-Stout/DigiCopy Athlete of the week, Feb. 13, after scoring a goal and three assists in a 4-3 win over UW-River Falls.
- 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..
2015-16: Junior forward Craig Lindegard was named to the D3hockey.com team of the week after scoring two goals in a mini-game win over UW-Superior, Feb. 20, to advance the Blue Devils to the semi-final round of the WIAC playoffs. While those stats will not show up in Lindegard's career stats (mini-game stats do not count), Lindegard did record two assists in a 3-2 win and added another in a 5-3 loss in the series. Lindegard was also named as the UW-Stout/Northwestern Mutual athlete of the week...Senior forward Jake Useldinger was selected as the WIAC and UW-Stout/Northwestern Mutual athlete of the week after scoring three goals and two assists over two games against St. Thomas and Saint Mary's University, Jan. 15-16...Freshman forward Joe Anderson was selected as the UW-Stout/Northwestern Mutual athlete of the week after scoring a hat trick and an assist in a 5-3 win at Gustavus Adolphus, Jan. 9. Anderson also scored a goal the night before against Hamline University...Goalie Nick Schmit was selected the UW-Stout/Northwestern Mutual athlete of the week, Dec. 14, after recording two wins in his first collegiate starts...Forward Tyler Cayemberg was selected as the WIAC athlete of the week after scoring a hat trick against Concordia University Wisconsin, Nov. 21. Cayemberg had two power play goals and completed the hat trick with an empty net goal with three seconds remaining...Goalie Spencer Viele was selected as the WIAC athlete of the week after snagging a win over Bethel and playing to a scoreless tie with Gustavus Adolphus, Nov. 6-7. Viele posted a saves percentage of .963 over the two games.
UW-STOUT COACH TERRY WATKINS
- Terry Watkins (244-293-37) 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-SUPERIOR HEAD COACH RICHARD MCKENNA
- Richard McKenna (7-16-2) is in his first year as the head coach of the Yellowjackets and comes to Superior 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. McKenna began his coaching career as an assistant coach at NCAA Division III Castleton State University in 2008-09 where he helped the Spartans to a 15-win season and a berth in the ECAC East playoffs. From there McKenna spent two seasons (2009-11) as an assistant coach at Division III Wesleyan University (Connecticut) before moving to the Division I ranks at the University of Connecticut. While there McKenna helped guide the Huskies to the Athlantic Hockey quarterfinals in 2011-12 and then the semifinals in 2012-13.
THE CONFERENCES:
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. St. 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
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 winner of the UW-Stout/UW-Superior series will advance to meet top-seeded UW-Stevens Point, Feb. 24-25.
