Hockey Preview: Stout hosts St. Olaf in Community Appreciation Night

Blue Devil home games: Live Stats | Live Video | Watch on Live Barn


THIS WEEK'S GAMES:UW-Stout (5-7-2, 2-0-0 WIAC) returns to action Friday, Jan. 5 when they host St. Olaf College (5-5-0, 3-3-0 MIAC) at 7 p.m. The game will actually be the final game in a nearly six week long, drawn out five game homestand that stretches back to Nov. 29 with a 4-3 win over UW-Eau Claire, followed by a 2-1 win over UW-Superior, Dec. 1, and the two-game series with Concordia, Dec. 15-16. The St. Olaf game is also UW-Stout Hockey Community Appreciation game, which includes free admission to the 7 p.m. and a bonfire scheduled to start at 6 p.m. The Blue Devils are scheduled to host Bethel University, Saturday, Jan. 6 in an 8 p.m. exhibition game.

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 14 points on six goals and eight assists. Four of his goals have come on power play, as have four of his assists.
• Freshmen Hunter Anderson and Connor Chambers have each scored nine points. Anderson had a two-goal night against UW-Eau Claire and has four goals and five assists on the season. Chambers has two goals and is second to Ahman in assists.
• Conner Valesano has eight points, with two goals and a team-best six assists.
• Connor Chambers, Conner Valesano, Alex Toscano, Konnar Dechaine, Jack Forbort, Gavin Smith, Kyle Sylvester and Dylan Zins each have two goals.
• Lucas Carroll has three goals, with one even strength goal, one power play and one short-handed goal. Gavin Smith has the team's other shorthanded goal.
• Alex Toscano and Kyle Sylvester have two power play goals 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 (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.  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.
• 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 19 percent (12-63) and the penalty kill is 83.6 (10-61). Stout has taken 77 penalties thus far this year and average 12.2 minutes per game.

BLUE DEVILS LAST TIME OUT

• UW-Stout and Concordia University Wisconsin played extra hockey on Saturday at the Fanetti Community Center, but the game ended in a 4-4 tie.
• The Blue Devils and Concordia University Wisconsin faced off again Dec. 16 after playing against each other the night before. Less than 24 hours after the first meeting with Concordia taking a 2-1 win, the second game was a combined eight goals and an overtime.
• Defenseman Mathias Ahman scored two goals and two assists, getting his name on the scoresheet for all four goals. But the Falcons scored the final goal of the game with 18 seconds left in the third period with an extra attacker on the ice to send the game into overtime.
• Game Story and Statistics

Game Stats Tracker

SCOUTING ST. OLAF

• The Oles are 5-5 overall and 3-3 in the Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (MIAC)
• The scoring attack for the Oles are led by Tuuka Totro. Totro has eleven points through 10 games. Totro has four goals and seven assists and also has a power play goal. Chris Koziel leads the Oles in goals with five, three of those being power play goals.
• In the net, Jude Hull has played the most minutes in the season. Hull has started five games and owns a 3.36 goal against average. Hull also holds a .907 save percentage. Eric Hancock has also started five games, but has 100 less minutes. He owns a 1.74 goal against average and a .943 save percentage. Hancock is 4-0 this season.
• St. Olaf Stats

LAST TIME OUT

• The Oles have an even longer break than the Blue Devils...and their last opponent was also a pair of games with Concordia, but Concordia-Moorhead. The Oles split with the Cobbers, losing the Dec. 1 decision, 5-1, but came back to take a 3-1 decision the following day.
• Three different Oles scored to help the St. Olaf men's hockey team to a 3-1 win over the Concordia Cobbers Dec. 2 at the Northfield Ice Arena. After a scoreless first period, the Oles got on the board with a Tuukka Totro goal 13:55 into the second frame. Sawyer Jacobson scored four minutes later to give the Oles a 2-0 lead. The Cobbers cut the Oles lead in half early in the third with a goal by Jake Stilwell. The Oles regained their two goal lead when Chris Koziel scored with 3:25 remaining in the game, and the Oles would hold off the Cobbers until the final buzzer for their third conference win of the season.
• Game Story and Statistics

WHEN STOUT AND ST. OLAF LAST MET

• In a wild second period, UW-Stout's Jordan Stejskal tied the score just before the end of the period, but St. Olaf scored the eventual game-winner in the third period to down the Blue Devils 5-3 at Northfield Ice Arena Nov. 10.
• After defenseman Joe Kleven gave Stout an early lead with his first goal of the season - a power play goal - midway through the first period, on assists from Mathias Ahman and Kyle Sylvester, the second period featured five goals between the two teams.
• The Oles opened the period with two goals, a shorthanded goal by Will Dittrich 1:21 into the second period to tie the game and a power play goal at 4:16 by Roshen Jaswal.
• The Blue Devils tied the score with Gavin Smith's first goal of the season, this one coming at 8:38 of the stanza, with assists by Konnar Dechaine and Ahman. St. Olaf took the lead back at 15:59 of the period. Stejskal tied the score with 46 seconds left in the second period, getting assists from Dechaine and Smith. Sawyer Jacobson scored at 5:30 of the third period to give St. Olaf a one goal, 4-3, lead and Drew Otto would score the empty net goal with 41 seconds left on the clock.
• The Oles outshot Stout, 30-29, with the Blue Devils' Etienne Roy stopping 25 shots and absorbing his first loss of the season. Eric Hancock recorded 26 saves.Stout finished with eight penalties and the Oles six. Stout was 1-of-4 on the power play, while the Oles were 1-of-3.
• Game Story and Stats

THE SERIES:

• The Blue Devils hold a 21-13-0 lead in the series.

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

ATHLETE OF THE WEEK: Mathias Ahman, Jr, Harnosand, Sweden  (Nolaskolon)


AWARDS AND HONORS: 2017-18:

• 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' (250-301-39) 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.

ST. OLAF COACH MIKE EAVES

• Mike Eaves was named head men's hockey coach at St. Olaf on May 27, 2016.  Eaves spent the previous 14 seasons as head coach at the University of Wisconsin. He led Wisconsin to seven NCAA appearances including a national title in 2006 and a runner up finish in 2010, while compiling a 267-225-76 record in Madison. His teams won at least 20 games eight times and won back-to-back postseason league championships in 2012-13 (WCHA) and 2013-14 (Big Ten).

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. St. Olaf is a member of the Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (MIAC). 

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 take to the road Friday, Jan. 12 to face Hamline University for a 7 p.m. contest, then will return to the Twin Cities to face Augsburg University, Saturday, Jan. 13 at 7:30 p.m. The Blue Devils are tentatively scheduled to play Hamline at TRIA Rink at Treasure Island Center in downtown St. Paul, Minn. The facility will be the practice facility for the Minnesota Wild. The facility is scheduled to open in early January, 2018.