THIS WEEK'S GAMES:  The Blue Devils (4-2-0, 0-0-0 WIAC) will be at Lawrence University (0-4-0, 0-4-0 NCHA), Friday, Nov. 16 at 7 p.m. and at Marian University (4-0-0, 4-0-0 NCHA), Saturday, Nov. 17 at 5 p.m. The games are the final games before the Blue Devils begin the conference season the week after Thanksgiving.


A LOOK AT UW-STOUT:

  • The Blue Devils return four seniors, defensemen Mathias Ahman and Joe Kleven, and forwards Gavin Smith and Dylan Zins. Stout has eight juniors, seven sophomores, and 11 freshmen.
  • The Blue Devils are averaging 2.5 goals per game and are giving up 2.5 goals per game. Stout scored three goals in a win over Trine and two goals in a loss to Aurora. In a pair of overtime preseason wins, Stout scored two goals in each exhibition games. So far in the regular season, Stout has gotten single goals from Conner Valesano, Arturas Laukaitis, Mathias Ahman, Trent Olson and Jack Cernohous. Laukaitis has Stout's only power play goal of the season and Cernohous the lone shorthanded goals. 
  • In goal, Brady Meyers has made two appearances, picking up the 3-0 shutout win in his collegiate debut against Trine. He came on in relief to allow one goal and has a goals against average (GAA) of 0.61 and a saves percentage of .967. Ridge Gerads' collegiate debut didn't go quite as well. Gerads gave up three goals against Aurora before giving way to Meyers. Gerads will look to lower his GAA from an 8.18. 
  • Defenseman Mathias Ahman, a 2017-18 All-American, was the team's leading scorer during the 2017-18 season, tallying 22 points on 11 goals and 11 assists. Seven of his goals came on power play.
  • Junior Connor Chambers contributed 15 points, scoring two goals and a team-best 15 assists. Conner Valesano had 12 points, with three goals and nine assists. Hunter Anderson scored 12 points on five goals and seven assists. Anderson had a two-goal night in the first game with UW-Eau Claire.
  • Dylan Zins scored five goals and five assists. Austin Jackson had nine points with four goals and five assists. Alex Toscano had four goals and four assists. Toscano has three power play goals.
  • The Blue Devils had 19 players who  scored at least one goal, 20 players who have scored at least one assist and 21 players with at least one point.
  • 2018-19 Statistics


AHMAN IN NATIONAL STATS LAST SEASON

  • Ahman received national attention last season as one of the highest scoring defensemen in all of NCAA Division III, finishing the season with 11 goals and 11 assists for 22 points, ranking 16th nationally, averaging 0.85 points, a mark that led the WIAC. Ahman was second in the conference with seven power play goals, ranking 14th among all players nationally in power plays. Among defensemen, Ahman tied for third nationally in total goals.  In the WIAC among all players, Ahman ranked seventh in goals scored (11), 10th in points (11-11-22), second in power play points (7-6-13) and 15th in assists (11). Ahman was an All-WIAC first team selection.



BLUE DEVILS BETWEEN THE PIPES

  • Tommi Ahlgren (6-10-2)  figured into 18 decisions last season, and finished with a GAA of 2.87 with a saves percentage of 898 and earned all-WIAC first team honors
  • Evan Bisek (0-2-0) joined the Blue Devils at semester and made two starts.
  • Two freshmen goalies join the Blue Devils, Brady Meyers and Ridge Gerads.


BLUE DEVIL SPECIAL TEAMS

  • The Blue Devils are 1-for-7 (14.3) on the power play, with Arturus Laukaitis notching the lone power play goal. Jack Cernohous scored Stout's lone shorthanded goal, his first career goal. The Blue Devils have successfully stopped 12-of-13 (91.7)  power play opportunities by their opponents. 


BLUE DEVILS LAST TIME OUT

  • Stout won a pair of games last weekend, downing St. Olaf College, 3-2, Nov. 9, and Gustavus Adolphus College, 4-1, Nov. 10.   
  • A senior broke the impasse and a freshman sealed the deal as UW-Stout defeated Concordia-Moorhead, 4-2, Friday in non-conference hockey action. After Concordia tied the score at 2-2 midway through the third period, senior Gavin Smith, with an assist by fellow senior Mathias Ahman, broke the deadlock at the 17:58 mark in the third period. Concordia (2-1) pulled the goalie with about 1:20 remaining in the game and freshman Arturas Lakaitis scored his second collegiate goal with four seconds remaining on the clock, getting an assist from Conner Valesano. | Game Story and Statistics
  • UW-Stout outshot St. John's University, 35-21, but the Johnnies scored three consecutive goals in about 12 minutes of game time to run past the Blue Devils, 4-3, at the Herb Brooks National Hockey Center Saturday. The Johnnies (2-1-1) opened the scoring when Tanner Dufault scored at 7:48 of the second period. The Blue Devils (2-2-0) answered back quickly when Mathias Ahman scored at 10:47 of the second, getting assists from Hunter Anderson and Lucas Carroll to knot the score. Three minutes later, Gavin Smith gave the Blue Devils a 2-1 lead, with an assist from Alex Toscano. St. John's tied the score with just over two minutes remaining in the period to start their three-goal assault when Brady Heppner scored. The Johnnies scored twice in the third period, on goals by Even Oakely at 6:18 and by Davis Kirkendall at 10:28 to go ahead 4-2.  With just over two minutes left to play, Stout pulled their goalie and with the extra attacker on the ice, Arturas Laukaitis scored, with an assist by Carroll and Conner Valesano. Stout pulled their goalie again 30 seconds later, but could not get the equalizer. | Game Story and Statistics

Game Stats Tracker

UW-Stout Statistics Lawrence University Marian University -
3.17 Goals/game 1.0 3.5 -
2.33 Goals allowed 5.75 1.25 -
14.3 percent Power Play % 0.0 percent 35.0 percent -
92.9 percent Penalty Kill % 60.9  percent 91.7 percent -
1 Shutouts 0 0 -

SCOUTING Lawrence University

  • The Vikings of Lawrence University (0-4-0, 0-4-0) finished with an overall record of 10-15-2 last year. With a very young team, Lawrence has only one senior skater on their roster. Danny Toycen leads the team with three points including two goals. Daniel Gysi, a defenseman leads the team in assists with two. 
  • Lawrence Stats

THE VIKINGS LAST TIME OUT

WHEN STOUT AND LAWRENCE MET LAST

  • The two teams met last year on November 17 in Menomonie, WI when Stout won the contest 6-4. Game Recap


SCOUTING MARIAN UNIVERSITY

  • An undefeated Marian University (4-0-0, 4-0-0) is currently ranked #7 according to D3hockey.com. Clay Cross leads the team with three goals to go along with two assists. Nick Monfils leads the team in assists with four and also has one goal. 16 skaters for the Knights have at least one point on the season. 
  • Gustavus Statistics 
SABRESLAST TIME OUT WHEN STOUT AND MARIAN MET LAST
  • The Sabres and Stout met last year on November 18 in Menomonie and Marian shutout the Blue Devils, 3-0. Marian scored two power play goals in the game. The Blue Devils out shot Marian in the contest 25-21. Box Score



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 and St. John's are receiving votes. USCHO.com Division III Poll

TEAM CAPTAINS: Captains for the 2018-19 season are Mathias Ahman, Conner Valesano, Lucas Carroll and Adam Kresl.

ATHLETE OF THE WEEK:  Mathias Ahman, Sr, Harnesand, Sweden, had a goal and three assists last week in a two-win weekend.


AWARDS AND HONORS: 2017-18:

  • Mathias Ahman earned second team All-America honors and first team all-WIAC honors. Goalie Tommi Ahlgren was a first team all-conference selection. Dylan Zins and Hunter Anderson were all-WIAC honorable mention selections. Lucas Carroll and Evan Butcher were AHCA All American Scholars.
  • 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 2018-19 season marks Terry Watkins' (256-312-40) 23rd 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.

MARIAN'S ZACH GAYNOR

  • Zach Gaynor was named the head coach of the Marian men's hockey program in September of 2017 and Gaynor begins his second stint for the Sabre hockey program after serving as an assistant from 2009-2012.  During the three-year stint, Gaynor helped coach the Sabres to a 20-win season, two consecutive berths into the Midwest Collegiate Hockey Association Tournament Championship, and the program's first All-American in Dakota Dubetz.  Gaynor earned his bachelors in business administration with an emphasis in sport and recreation management from Marian in 2008.
  • Most recently, Gaynor served as the associate head coach for fellow NCHA member Concordia Wisconsin since 2012.  During his time as a Falcon he specialized in recruiting and managing the CUW defense.  Concordia Wisconsin was able to qualify for the NCHA Harris Cup Tournament three times in his five seasons including the program's first winning season at 13-11-1 in the 2016-17 season.

LAWRENCE'S MIKE SZKODZINSKI

  • Mike Szkodzinski continues to press forward in making the Lawrence University hockey program one of the finest teams in NCAA Division III. As the head coach since 2006, Szkodzinski (pronounced SKUH-gin-SKI) has produced six double-digit victory campaigns, and the Vikings set a school record for wins in 2008-09. Szkodzinski, who has more victories than any coach in Lawrence history, coached his team to the Midwest Collegiate Hockey Association Northern Division title in 2008-09. He also has guided the Vikings to the league playoffs in each of his 10 seasons.
  • Szkodzinski served as Lawrence's Director of Athletics since from 2009 until 2016 before returning his full attention to the hockey team. During his tenure as the leader of the Department of Athletics, Szkodzinski expanded and strengthened the coaching staff and oversaw the renovation of the Banta Bowl, Lawrence's football and soccer facility.


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.
  • Lawrence University and Marian University are members of the Northern Collegiate Hockey Association (NCHA). The NCHA is made up of 12 teams including two divisions. Both teams are in the North Division. 


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. Trine University (3-0), Oct. 26, 2018' vs. St. Olaf College (3-0), Dec. 10, 2016; Gustavus Adolphus (0-0), Nov. 7, 2015
  • Stout was shut out: vs. Aurora University (2-0), 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.

ALL TIED UP: When the Blue Devils notched a 3-3 tie with St. Scholastica, Jan. 19, 2016, it tied a school record for most ties in a single season with four. The 2009-10 team and the 2004-05 team each finished with four ties. The Blue Devils snapped that record a week later, Jan. 28, when they forged a 2-2 tie with ninth ranked UW-Eau Claire, then finished with six in the final game of the season against UW-River Falls.

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.

LIGHTING THE LAMP: It will now be easier to see when the the Blue Devils score. The Fanetti Community Center this summer received an upgrade in their lighting. The lighting in the ice arena was recently replaced with LED lights. The replacement was helped by Xcel Energy through their incentive program, Focus on Energy. The incentives offered by Xcel Energy and Focus on Energy — including bonus incentives through the program's limited-time Community Small Business Offerings (CSBO) campaign — helped offset the cost of the Menomonie Youth Hockey Association Ice Board's investment. | Complete Story

UP NEXT:  The Blue Devils will be off until after Thanksgiving and then will begin conference play by traveling to UW-Eau Claire, Wednesday, Nov. 28 and at UW-Superior, Friday, Nov. 30. 

Â