Hockey Preview: Now it's all conference play, Stout at Eau Claire Wednesday

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THIS WEEK'S GAMES: For the Blue Devils (5-10-2, 2-0-0 WIAC) it's all conference play from here-on-out. Stout will travel to UW-Eau Claire (12-8-0, 2-2-0 WIAC), Wednesday, Jan. 24 to meet the Blugolds at 7 p.m. Stout will be at UW-Superior (7-10-2, 1-1-0 WIAC), Friday, Jan. 26 at 7 p.m.

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.
• Defenseman Mathias Ahman is the team's leading scorer, tallying 19 points on 11 goals and eight assists. Seven of his goals have come on power play, as have four of his assists.
• Freshman Connor Chambers has 14 points, scoring two goals and a team-best 12 assists. Hunter Anderson is expected returned to the lineup and has scored 10 points on four goals and six assists. Anderson had a two-goal night against UW-Eau Claire.
• Conner Valesano has nine points, with two goals and seven assists.
• Gavin Smith has scored four goals and has tallied three assists for a total of seven points.
• Dylan Zins and Lucas Carroll each have three goals and three assists.
• Konnar Dechaine, Jack Forbort, and Kyle Sylvester each have two goals. Sylvester has five assists, Forbort and Dechaine each have three assists.
• Carroll's three goals have each come in a different situation, with one even strength goal, one power play and one short-handed goal. Gavin Smith has the team's other shorthanded goal.
• Kyle Sylvester has three power play goals, while Alex Toscano has two power play goals.
• The Blue Devils have 18 players who have scored at least one goal, 19 players who have scored at least one assist and 19 players with at least one point.
• UW-Stevens Point is currently in first place in the WIAC with seven points (3-0-1), while Stout (2-0-0) and Eau Claire (2-2-0) are tied for second with four points.
• The Wednesday meeting will be the second mid-week meeting of the year between the Blue Devils and the Blugolds. Last year, the teams played both of their conference games on Thursday nights, just as they did during the 2015-16 season.
• Complete Blue Devil 2017-18 Statistics

AHMAN IN NATIONAL STATS

• Mathias Ahman has been ranked nationally among defensemen most of the season. He is currently ranked eighth nationally among defense (11-8-19). His seven power play goals are the most of any defenseman nationally and he ranks in a tie for third nationally among all players in power play goals. Ahman's 11 goals is tied with Endicott's Logan Day for more goals by a defenseman.  Among all players, Ahman ranks 85th in total points and 30th in goals per game (0.61). Blue Devil freshman defenseman Connor Chambers ranks 22nd nationally in points by defensemen (2-12-14).
• Ahman, the Blue Devils' leading scorer, is third in total points and goals among all players in the WIAC and leads conference defensemen in scoring. Ahman leads the WIAC in power play play goals with seven. He is one of three league players to score a hat trick this season after scoring his first career hat trick against St. Olaf College, Jan. 5. Teammate Connor Chambers (2-12-14) ranks second among defensemen, behind Ahman, in in points. Chambers leads all defensemen in the WIAC in assists.

BLUE DEVILS BETWEEN THE PIPES

• Tommi Ahlgren (4-5-1) has figured into 10 decisions this season, and is posting a goals against average (GAA) of 2.78, with a saves percentage of 896.
• Eitenne Roy (1-3-0) has made five appearances with four starts this season, recording 122 saves on a saves percentage of .871 and a goals against average (GAA) of 3.88.
• Evan Bisek (0-2-0) joined the Blue Devils at semester and has made two starts.

BLUE DEVIL SPECIAL TEAMS

• The Blue Devils power play is 20.0 percent (17-85), scoring 17 power play goals. Defenseman Mathias Ahman has seven power play goals, with Kyle Sylvester adding three power play goals. The Blue Devils' penalty kill is at 82.7 percent (14-81), allowing 14 power play goals. Stout has two short handed goals, one each by Lucas Carroll and Gavin Smith. The Blue Devils have given up six shorthanded goals.

BLUE DEVILS LAST TIME OUT

• The Blue Devils lost 7-4 to Saint Mary's University, Jan. 19, in the final non-conference contest of the season.
• UW-Stout did all it could to claw its way back to even, but St. Mary's University found the upper hand as the Cardinals defeated the Blue Devils 7-4 at the Fanetti Community Center. Stout tied the game up after being down three goals, but St. Mary's next three goals came out to be the deciding factor.
• Game Story and Statistics

Game Stats Tracker

SCOUTING UW-EAU CLAIRE

• UW-Eau Claire's offense is led by seniors Jake Hopfner and Mac Jansen with 13 points a piece. Jansen leads the Blugolds in goals and has scored nine goals to go with four assists. Hopfner has seven goals of his own and six assists. Seniors Kyle Lee, Jesse Tredinnick, and Colton Wolter have 12 points as well. The Blugolds have seven skaters who have double digit points.
• In net, the Blugolds roster three goalies who have at least played in four games this season. Freshman Camden Haugenoe leads the charge with a 6-4 record to go along with a .882 save percentage and a 2.47 goals against. Freshman Zach Dyment has started in seven games and supports a 3-3 record. Dyment has a 1.99 goals against average and a .924 save percentage.
• Blugolds Statistics

LAST TIME OUT

• The Blugolds traveled to UW-River Falls for a WIAC matchup and came out with a 2-1 victory. UW-Eau Claire out shot the Falcons 32-19. Story.
• After winning a game on the road, UW-Eau Claire had a home matchup against #4 UW-Stevens Point. The Blugolds entered the game against a hot Pointers club that has now won nine of their last 11 games. The Pointers took control and came out with a victory with a score of 5-2.

WHEN STOUT AND UW-EAU CLAIRE LAST MET

• The two teams faced off at the Fanetti Community Center on Nov. 29. With a wild finish, UW-Stout came out victorious 4-3. With a goalie change for the Blugolds, the Blue Devils would not score again.
• UW-Stout scored four goals in the first period and couldn't find the back of the net after that. The Blugolds scored one goal in the second period and scored two goals in the third. The two Blugold goals came within 30 seconds of each other with only two minutes left to play in the game. Stout's defense and goaltending would hold as the Blue Devils took the first WIAC matchup of the year.
• Game Story and Statistics

THE SERIES:

• The Blugolds lead the series 38-35-4.

SCOUTING UW-SUPERIOR

• Junior Daniel Litchke leads the attack on offense with 10 goals, four from the power play, and 10 assists. Senior Ian Ecklund leads the Yellowjackets in goals with 12. Ecklund also has three power play goals and adds six assists.
• Cole Skinner has played the most this year for the Yellowjackets and supports a 6-5-2 record. Skinnerholds a 2.38 goal against average and has a .911 save percentage.
• Yellowjackets Statistics

LAST TIME OUT

• The Yellowjackets traveled to a winless Finlandia University hockey team on Jan. 16. UW-Superior had defeated Finlandia twice on the season, but this time was different. The Yellowjackets scored first in the contest, but the Lions countered with a pair of second period goals and then held off the Yellowjackets to earn a 2-1 win. It would be Finlandia's first win on the season.  
• Game Story and Statistics

WHEN STOUT AND UW-SUPERIOR LAST MET

• UW-Superior ended UW-Stout's season last year, but the Blue Devils came out victorious on Dec. 1 at home. 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 and snag the win.
• Game Story and Statistics

THE SERIES:

• The Yellowjackets lead the series 59-25-4.

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: UW-Stevens Point, 3rd; Augsburg University, St. Thomas, Gustavus Adolphus and Saint John's 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: none


AWARDS AND HONORS: 2017-18:

• Defenseman Mathias Ahman scored a hat trick and was selected as the WIAC hockey player of the week after a 6-5 loss to St. Olaf, Jan. 5. Ahman scored the first goal of the game, then added two power play goals in the third period.
• Defenseman Mathias Ahman scored two goals and two assists in a 4-4 tie with Concordia University Wisconsin, Dec. 16, and was the UW-Stout/Toppers Athlete of the Week. Ahman also added an assist on a shorthanded goal in Stout's 2-1 loss the Falcons the previous night.
• 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, and the UW-Stout/Toppers Athlete of the Week. Ahlgren recorded 20 saves against Eau Claire and 32 against Superior.

UW-STOUT COACH TERRY WATKINS

• The 2017-18 season marks Terry Watkins' (250-304-39) 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.

UW-EAU CLAIRE'S MATT LOEN

• Matt Loen (166-108-24) is in his 11th season at UW-Eau Claire

UW-SUPERIOR'S RICHARD MCKENNA

• Richard McKenna (15-29-4) is in his second season at UW-Superior.

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)

• Mathias Ahman vs. St. Olaf College, Jan. 5, 2018
• 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, Mathias Ahman vs. St. Olaf College, Jan. 5, 2018
• 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. St. Olaf College, Jan. 5, 2018
• 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. Marian University (0-2), Nov. 24, 2017
• 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.

UP NEXT: Stout will travel to UW-Stevens Point, Friday, Feb. 2 for a 7 p.m. contest, then return home to host UW-River Falls, Saturday, Feb. 3 at 7 p.m.