Hockey Preview: Stout jockeying for position for WIAC tournament

Blue Devil home games: Live Stats | Live Video | Watch on Live Barn | at UW-River Falls: Live Stats | Live Video

THIS WEEK'S GAMES: The Blue Devils (6-14-2, 3-3-0 WIAC) will host UW-Stevens Point (17-4-2, 5-0-1 WIAC), Friday, Feb. 9 for a 7 p.m. contest, then close the regular season at UW-River Falls (6-15-2, 0-6-0 WIAC), Saturday, Feb. 10 at 7 p.m. The Pointers are ranked third in the latest USCHO.com poll and second in the latest D3hockey.com poll. All games this weekend will come into play for seeding in the Commissioner's Cup (WIAC Championship) which begins Feb. 16-17.

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 21 points on 11 goals and 10 assists. Seven of his goals have come on power play, as have six of his assists.
• Sophomore Connor Chambers has 15 points, scoring two goals and a team-best 13 assists. Kyle Sylvester has five goals, of which four are power play goals, and six assists. Conner Valesano has nine points, with two goals and nine assists. Hunter Anderson has scored 10 points on four goals and six assists. Anderson had a two-goal night in the first game with UW-Eau Claire.
• Gavin Smith has scored five goals and has tallied three assists for a total of seven points.
• Austin Jackson, Alex Toscano and Dylan Zins have each scored four goals and have each tallied four assists. Toscano has three power play goals.
• Jonathan Marzec has four goals and two assists, and all of the freshman's scoring has come since the calendar turned to 2018. Marzec scored a goal in each game last weekend. Only Mathias Ahman has more goals this calendar year than Marzec.
• Lucas 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.
• 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.
• Friday night is Senior Night and the Blue Devils will recognize seniors Etienne Roy and Jordan Stejskal.
• Etienne Roy, a goalie, who transferred to Stout last season and earned his first career shutout, making 18 saves in his first career start with a 3-0 win over St. Olaf. Etienne has started three games this season, earning a 3.88 GAA.  Etienne, a Construction major from Saint Henri, Quebec, is the son of Gilbert Roy and Julie Saint-Hilaire.
• Jordan Stejskal, a defenseman, has been a Blue Devil regular all four years, appearing in 103 games, a mark that will grow through the rest of the season and will put him in the top 10 for games played by a UW-Stout hockey player, playing in all but one game over his career.  A team captain this season, the Blue Devil defenseman has scored five goals and dished off 16 assists over his career. Jordan, a Business Administration major from Grand Rapids, Minn., is the son of Jerry and Patricia Stejskal
• 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 12th nationally among defensemen (11-10-21). His seven power play goals are the most of any defenseman nationally and he ranks in a tie for seventh nationally among all players in power play goals (0.32). Ahman's 11 goals is second only to Endicott's Logan Day for more goals by a defenseman.  Among all players, Ahman ranks 110th in total points and 74th in goals per game (0.50). Blue Devil sophomore defenseman Connor Chambers ranks 36th nationally in points by defensemen (2-13-15).
• Ahman, the Blue Devils' leading scorer, is fourth in total points and third in goals scored 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. Ahman and Connor Chambers (2-13-15) are first and second, respectively, in the WIAC in points by defensemen. Chambers leads all defensemen in the WIAC in assists.

BLUE DEVILS BETWEEN THE PIPES

• Tommi Ahlgren (5-7-1) has figured into 13 decisions this season, and is posting a goals against average (GAA) of 3.00, with a saves percentage of 889.
• 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 19.0 percent (19-100), scoring 19 power play goals. Defenseman Mathias Ahman has seven power play goals, with Kyle Sylvester adding four power play goals. The Blue Devils' penalty kill is at 80.4 percent (19-97), allowing 19 power play goals. Stout has two short handed goals, one each by Lucas Carroll and Gavin Smith. The Blue Devils have given up eight shorthanded goals.

BLUE DEVILS LAST TIME OUT

• The Blue Devils lost 5-2 at second-ranked UW-Stevens Point, Feb. 2, then defeated UW-River Falls, 3-1, Feb. 3 to snap a nine-game winless streak.
• UW-Stout pulled to within one goal late in the second period, but second-ranked UW-Stevens Point scored twice in the third period to push their way past the Blue Devils, 5-2, Feb. 2 at KB Willett Arena. The Pointers scored three goals in the first period. Luke McElhenie opened the scoring at 4:42 with a power play goal. Colin Raver followed up with a goal at 8:30 of the first and Tanner Karty took advantage of a second power play in the period with a goal at 18:14. But Stout's Jonathan Marzec cut into the lead with a goal at 19:21 of the period. The Blue Devils pulled to within a goal at 3-2 when Alex Toscano scored at 19:49 of the second period.
• Stevens Point Game Story and Statistics
• It took two third period goals by UW-Stout to defeat UW-River Falls. Kyle Sylvester put Stout on the board four minutes into the game and the Falcons tied the score about 10 minutes later. After a scoreless second period, Jonathan Marzec broke the tie 10 minutes into the third period and Austin Jackson closed the door with under two minutes left to play. The Blue Devils had not won in the last nine games, but fought off the Falcons to move back into third place in the WIAC.
• River Falls Game Story and Statistics

Game Stats Tracker

SCOUTING UW-STEVENS POINT

• UW-Stevens Point is currently ranked third in the country per USCHO.com and are receiving four first place votes.
• The Pointers  are led offensively by junior Tanner Karty. Karty currently leads the WIAC in goals (17), assists (22), and points (39). Three of his 17 goals have been power play goals. Senior, Willem Nong-Lambert has 26 points. Nong-Lambert has 10 goals and 16 assists to go along with four power play goals. The Pointers have a strong offensive attack that include nine players with double digit points and lead the conference in the majority of statistical categories.
• In net senior Max Milosek has started 20 of 23 games, racking up nearly 1200 minutes per games He posts a 1.78 goals against average and a .928 save percentage. Milosek holds a 14-4-2 record.
• Pointers Statistics

POINTERS LAST TIME OUT

• The Pointers had two WIAC tilts this past weekend.
• UW-Stevens Point hosted UW-Stout and won the game 5-2. The Pointers' Zach Zech scored two third period goals to lift UW-Stevens Point over the Blue Devils.
• UW-Stevens Point traveled to UW-Superior the next day. UW-Superior scored less than three minutes into the game, but the Pointers scored three unanswered goals and an empty net goal to come out with the win, 4-2.

WHEN STOUT AND UW-STEVENS POINT LAST MET

• The two teams met last week, February 2, 2018 in Stevens Point. UW-Stout pulled within one goal late in the second period, but second-ranked UW-Stevens Point scored twice in the third period to push their way past the Blue Devils, 5-2. Game Story

THE SERIES:

• The Blue Devils lead the series 40-39-3 against UW-Stevens Point, but UW-Stout is 1-9 in the last 10 contests against the Pointers.

SCOUTING UW-RIVER FALLS

• The Falcons are led by junior Eddie Matsushima, who is currently tied for fourth in points in the WIAC with 11 goals and nine assists, including four power play goals. Freshman, Cayden Cahill posts nine goals and eight assists, with two power play goals on the year.
• In net, Zach Quinn holds a 2.93 goals against average and a .903 save percentage. On the season Quinn is 5-13-2.
• Falcon Statistics

LAST TIME OUT

• The Falcons hosted UW-Superior, Friday, Feb. 2 and then traveled to UW-Stout, Saturday, Feb. 3.
• Hosting UW-Superior, the Falcons were shutout by the Yellowjackets. UW-River Falls out shot the Yellowjackets 36-22, but could not find the back of the net.
• The Falcons traveled to UW-Stout the next day and was defeated, 3-1.  It took two third period goals by UW-Stout to defeat UW-River Falls.

WHEN STOUT AND UW-RIVER FALLS LAST MET

• The two teams met last week, February 3, 2018 in Menomonie. It took two third period goals by UW-Stout to defeat UW-River Falls. Tommi Ahlgren finished the game with 30 saves. Game Story

THE SERIES:

• The Falcons lead the series 76-22-2 against UW-Stout.

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 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' (251-308-39) 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-RIVER FALLS' STEVE FREEMAN

• Steve Freeman (374-207-50) is in his 22nd season at UW-River Falls

UW-STEVENS POINT'S TYLER KRUEGER

• Tyler Krueger is in his (17-4-2) first year as the head coach at UW-Stevens Point

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


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:  Stout will participate in the WIAC Tournament as either the second, third or fourth seeded team.