Hockey Preview: Blue Devils open conference play this weekend

Blue Devil home games: Live Stats | Live Video | WIAC Weekly Notes | 

TONIGHT'S GAME: Fresh off their first win of the season, UW-Stout (0-5-1, 0-0-0 WIAC) faces fifth-ranked UW-Eau Claire (5-0-1, 1-0-0 WIAC) tonight in what is an early season battle of first place teams. The Blue Devils fought back from a pair of deficits to down Northland College, 6-5, last night, while the Blugolds needed overtime to down UW-Superior, 3-2, in their conference opener. Tonight's game is sponsored by Waznik Moseler Group.

THIS WEEK'S GAMES: The Blue Devils (1-5-1, 1-0-0 WIAC) open the WIAC schedule when they host Northland College (2-2-0, 0-0-0 WIAC), Friday, Nov. 22 at 7 p.m. and No. 5 UW-Eau Claire (5-0-1, 1-0-0 WIAC), Saturday, Nov. 23 at 7 p.m. The Northland game is sponsored by Tanglewood Greens and the Eau Claire game is sponsored by Waznik Moseler Group.      

BLUE DEVILS LIVE: Join the Blue Devils every second Thursday of the month at 6 p.m. at the Stout Ale House for Blue Devil Live, a live radio show with host Pete Knutson, the voice of the Blue Devils. Throughout the show, Knutson will talk to Blue Devil coaches and student-athletes about what is coming up and what happened last week. The December show is scheduled for Thursday, Dec. 12. 

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.

THE BLUE DEVILS SO FAR THIS SEASON:

• The Blue Devils found their first win of the season and it came on the opening of the WIAC season when Stout engineered a couple of comebacks to down Northland College, 6-5, Friday night. Down 4-1 in the second period, Stout scored the next three goals to tie the game, only to slip back again before Hunter Anderson scored his second goal of the night to knot the score at 5-5. With the game seemingly heading for overtime, Lucas Carroll broke the plane of the net with just over a minute left and Stout held off the Lumberjacks in the final minute of play. The Blue Devils got goals from Alex Nagel, Alex Bowe, Landon Lushanko, Carroll and two from Anderson. With the win, Stout head coach Terry Watkins moved up to second on the WIAC's all-time wins list, passing UW-Stevens Point's Joe Baldoratto. Watkins now has 266 career wins. 
• Freshman Vladislav Sorokin opened up his collegiate career by scoring three goals on the opening weekend, scoring the Blue Devils' first goal of the season to cut Bethel's lead in half. Sorokin scored a goal in the second and then scored a goal to pull Stout to within one goal in the third period against Marian. Sorokin leads the Blue Devils in goals after scoring the first goal against Augsburg University. 
• Raphael Gosselin has four assists to lead Stout in that category. Adam Kresl scored two goals in Stout's tie with St. Thomas. Alex Nagel has two goal and three assists, while Connor Chambers had three assists and Alex Bowe  has a goal and two assists. Evan Butcher has a goal and three assists., Lucas Carroll and Hunter Anderson each have two goals and Noah Carson, Landon Lushanko and Konnar DeChaine each have a goal. Butcher and Carson scored consecutive goals in the final 45 seconds of regulation to knot the game with the Tommies. 
• In net, the Blue Devils have been able to play all three of their goalies. Brennan Kitchen has seen action in three games and is 0-3-1, kicking out 94 shots for a saves percentage of .887 and a GAA of 3.20. Evan Bisek is 1-2-0 with 138 minutes of work between the pipes. Bisek has a saves percentage of .904 and a GAA of 3.04. Brady Meyers has seen action in three games and has made 30 saves over 59 minutes. 

A LOOK AT UW-STOUT:

• The Blue Devils have five juniors and five seniors. Senior returners include Hunter Anderson, a 2017-18 All-WIAC honorable mention forward, forward Adam Kresl, defensemen Trent Olson and Connor Chambers and goalie Evan Bisek. The junior class along with Carroll includes defensemen Jack Cernohous and Alex Bowe and forwards Konnar Dechaine and Evan Butcher.
• Anderson scored two goals and added 11 assists. Chambers passed off 10 assists. Olson had three goals and four assists and Bowe had three goals and three assists.  Kresl had a goal and five assists, while Cernohous had two goals and three assists. Carroll had seven goals and seven assists. 
• The Blue Devils have 10 freshmen and are joined by seven sophomores, most of whom saw a great deal of action last season. The freshman class has one goalie, two defensemen and seven forwards. 
• Sophomore Logan Nelson is the lone Blue Devils to have earned all-conference honors last season, earning an honorable mention nod. Senior Hunter Anderson was an honorable mention pick in 2017-18.
• The sophomore class, led by Nelson, is made up of forwards Raphael Gosselin, Alex Nagel and Landon Lushanko, defensemen Tomi Varjonen and Alec Skar and goalie Brady Meyers. Gosselin was among Stout's scoring leaders with five goals and nine assists. Nagel had five goals and six assists. 
• The incoming freshman class is made up of forwards Peter Verstegan, Vladislov Sorokin, Riley Jensen, Cam Olstad, Dylan Mattson, Garett Giertuga and Kobe Keller; defensemen Noah Carson and Alex Stuckert and goalie Brennan Kitchen. 
• Goalies: Bisek is a senior who has seen limited action over the past couple of years and allowed no goals over two-plus periods in Stout's opening exhibition game against St. Mary's University two weeks ago. At 6-foot-3, Meyers fills up a lot of the net area. Meyers saw action in three games last year and allowed only one goal over 112 minutes played. Freshman goalie Brennan Kitchen brings four years of juniors experience to the team.
• The Blue Devils averaged 3.0 goals per game and gave up 2.6 goals per game last season. Stout had a power play percentage of 19.1 and a penalty kill of 87.2.
• Complete Blue Devil 2018-19 Statistics

BLUE DEVIL SPECIAL TEAMS

• The Blue Devils have scored three power play goals against 20 opportunities (15.0 percent).
• The Blue Devils have allowed two power plays goal against 19 opportunities. (89.5 percent). The Blue Devils are 23rd nationally in penalty kill. 

BLUE DEVILS LAST TIME OUT

• The Blue Devils showed tenacity last night and also showed they can put the puck in the net, tallying a season-high six goals against Northland. Down 4-1 in the second period, Stout scored the next three goals to tie the game, only to slip back again before Hunter Anderson scored his second goal of the night to knot the score at 5-5. With the game seemingly heading for overtime, Lucas Carroll broke the plane of the net with just over a minute left and Stout held off the Lumberjacks in the final minute of play. The Blue Devils got goals from Alex Nagel, Alex Bowe, Landon Lushanko, Carroll and two from Anderson. Evan Bisek came on in relief to record the win, allowing one goal. With the win, Stout head coach Terry Watkins is now second on the WIAC all-time wins list. Watkins has 266 career wins. 
• The Blue Devils lost a 4-1 decision at fourth-ranked Augsburg University, Nov. 14, then dropped a 5-0 decision at St. John's University, Nov. 16. 
• UW-Stout scored first, but fourth-ranked Augsburg University scored the next five goals and went on to a 5-1 win over UW-Stout Thursday in the Twin Cities. Vladislav Sorokin scored his team-leading fourth goal of the season midway through the first period on the power play to give Stout (0-4-1) the lead. Connor Chambers and Logan Nelson received assists on the goal.  The Auggies knotted the score seven minutes later on an Austin Martinsen goal, then added three goals in the second and another goal in the third. Gavin Holland scored the Auggies fourth and fifth goals of the evening. Evan Bisek turned away 29 shots for the Blue Devils and Jack Robbel and Jon Albers combined for 15 saves for the Auggies. | Augsburg Game Story and Statistics
• St. John's scored two goals in each of the first and third periods and pushed in a single goal in the second period and went on to a 5-0 win over UW-Stout Saturday. The Johnnies outshot Stout (0-5-1) 36-28. Ryan Kero and Brady Dahl scored in the first period, Kyle Wagner scored in the second and added another goal in the third and Russell Harren closed out the scoring. Brennan Kitchen made 18 saves for Stout, allowing four goals. Brady Meyers worked 18 minutes and made 13 saves, allowing one goal.  | St. John's Game Story and Statistics

Game Stats Tracker (2019-20)

UW-Stout	Statistics	Northland College	UW-Eau Claire
1.80	Goals/game	2.75	3.39
4.0	Goals Allowed	2.25	2.32
15.0 percent	Power Play %	12.5 percent	20.0 percent
89.5 percent	Penalty Kill %	100 percent	90.0 percent
0	Shutouts	1	1

SCOUTING NORTHLAND COLLEGE

• The Lumberjacks return their top two players in points from the 2018-19 season where they went 12-13-2. Kalib Ford led the team in points last year with 26 points including seven goals and 19 assists. Four games into the 2019-20 season, Ford leads the team in points with six, all assists, and his 1.50 assists per game is tops in the WIAC and ninth in the NCAA. Kyle Pouncy currently has two goals and three assists. Daniel Chartrand has two goals and one assist. Kurt Sonne has two goals. Cole Woodliffe was the leading scorer last year with 10 goals and 11 assists. Last season, Sonne had eight goals - three power play goals - and 10 assists. In net, Northland returns Taylor Unruh who played in five games and posted a 3.94 goals against average and a .860 save percentage. Unruh has played in two games this year, an is efforts earned him WIAC player of the week honors after shutting out Bethel University, 5-0, then, after allowing three early goals, played strong as the Lumberjacks cam back for a 4-3 win over Hamline Saturday night. Unrah made 49 total saves and is posting a .942 save percentage and a 1.50 goals against average. 
• The Lumberjacks are yet to allow a power play goal in 17 attempts. 
• Northland is in their first year as hockey members of the WIAC. The Lumberjacks were picked to finish fifth in the preseason poll. . 
• Lumberjack Stats

LUMBERJACKS LAST TIME OUT

• The Northland College LumberJacks overcame a 3-0 deficit on Saturday evening to defeat the Hamline Pipers 4-3.  The Jacks have now won two straight and have evened their record at 2-2. The Jacks comeback began late in the second period when Kurt Sonne got his team on the board off of assists from Kalib Ford and Shane Roulette.  Trailing 3-1 at the start of the third period, the Jacks got goals from Kyle Pouncy and Roulette to even the score at 3-3.  From there, Pouncy and Ty Kraus set up Sonne for the go-ahead goal with only 2:33 left in regulation.  Taylor Unruh recorded the win for the Jacks in net.  Unruh made 24 saves in the game.. | Game Story and Statistics
• The Northland College Lumberjacks put on an offensive show on Friday evening, scoring five goals in a 5-0 shutout win over Bethel University.  The Jacks used goals in the first two periods before three goals in the third, two of which came in the final minute.  With the win, the Jacks improved to 1-2 on the year.  Taylor Unruh made 25 saves for the Jacks and picked up is first shutout of the season. | Game Story and Statistics

WHEN STOUT AND NORTHLAND LAST MET

• Stout and Northland met twice last year with Stout taking both games and outscoring the Lumberjacks, 12-2. In the first game, Stout posted a 7-1 win, scoring all seven goals after the Lumberjacks took a 1-0 lead. Logan Nelson and Austin Jackson each scored two goals for Stout in December. With the score tied at 1-1 in the rematch in January, Stout scored four unanswered goals and Nelson repeated the feat of scoring a pair of goals. Surprisingly, the teams have only met six times total, with Stout holding a 4-1-1 lead in the series. Northland defeated Stout, 6-5, Dec. 13, 2016, and tied 2-2 Nov. 25, 2014.  | Game 1 Recap. Game 2 Recap. 

 
 SCOUTING UW-EAU CLAIRE

• Eau Claire is ranked fifth in the latest USHCO.com poll. The Blugolds, graduating only four players, bring back most of their lineup. Jake Bresser led the team in assists last year with 17 and also posted four goals. Steen Cooper returns and posted four goals and 15 assists last year. Jon Richards led the team in goals last year with nine and also posted seven assists. Richards also had three game winning goals. In goal, Zach Dyment played in 27 games and posted a 1.92 goal against average. Dyment also had a .908 save percentage. This year, Dyment has played in four out of five games and has a 0.98 goal against average - sixth in the NCAA - with a .954 save percentage, 12th in the NCAA. 
• Nathan Dingman currently has four goals, second in the WIAC, and Jake Bresser has three goals and an assist. Adam Parsells has broken the plane twice. Eight Blugolds have scored so far this season. 
• Blugolds Stats

THE BLUGOLDS LAST TIME OUT

• Jake Bresser netted the game winner midway through the overtime period as the Blugolds took a 3-2 win over UW-Superior last night in Superior. The Blugolds twice held leads in the game, only to see Superior come back and tie the contest. Adam Parsells put Eau Claire on the board first on a power play goal with three minutes left in the first period. Less than a minute into the second period, Superior tied the score. The power play would be friendly to the Blugolds. Charles Wieland scored at 13:56 in the period on the advantage and Eau Claire held the lead midway through the third period when Chad Lopez scored. Both teams had plenty of power play opportunities. Eau Claire was 2-for-9, while Superior was 0-for-8. The two teams combined for 63 minutes of penalties. 
• The Blugolds took a 3-1 win over fourth ranked Augsburg University Saturday in the Auggies' rink.  After two scoreless periods, the Blugolds broke the ice with a goal by Jon Richards at 11:36 of the third period. The Auggies knotted the score three minutes later, but Nathan Dingmann broke the tie with five minutes left in the period. Eau Claire iced the game with an empty-netter by Steen Cooper in the final 30 seconds. Zach Dyment stopped 21 shots as Eau Claire outshot the Auggies 35-22. 
• Game Story and Stats

WHEN STOUT AND EAU CLAIRE MET LAST YEAR

• The Blugolds and Stout faced off twice last year with Eau Claire winning both games. The Blugolds outscored Stout, 8-2. In the first game Nov. 27, 2018, the Blugolds took a 5-2 win. The Blugolds jumped out to a 2-0 lead before Stout's Alex Bowe scored in the second. The Blugolds equalized that goal and added another in the third. In January, the Blugolds took a 3-0 lead. Stout got their only goal with five minutes left in the third period.     |  Game 1 Recap. Game 2 Recap. 

TEAM CAPTAINS: Captains for the 2019-20 season are Adam Kresl, Lucas Carroll and Connor Chambers. 

UW-STOUT COACH TERRY WATKINS

• The 2019-20 season marks Terry Watkins' (266-327-43) 24th 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 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.
• (At the start of the season) Watkins is one victory away from moving into sole possession of second place on the conference's all-time wins list, surpassing former UW-Stevens Point head coach Joe Baldarotta's 265 victories.

NORTHLAND COLLEGE SEAMUS GREGORY  

• Seamus Gregory was hired as the Head Coach of LumberJack Hockey in July of 2014, he is the fourth Head Coach in school history. Entering his sixth season at the helm in Ashland, Gregory and his staff have completely revamped the Jack lineup with the current roster complied of 26 underclassmen. In Gregory's second season (2015-16) behind the Jack bench, he led the program to their 3rd best ever season in their 19 year history of collegiate hockey. Prior to Northland, Gregory spent three seasons (2011-2014) at Williston State College in northwest North Dakota, where he was the architect of Teton Hockey. Gregory was the first ever coach Williston State Hockey history. In a short three years at Williston State, Gregory led the program to a record of 44-36-4 with three Region XIII titles, twelve All-Americans, three NJCAA Frozen Fours and two National Championships (2013, 2014). The two titles are the first and only National Championships in any sport in school history. 

UW-EAU CLAIRE'S MATT LOEN 

• Matt Loen enters his 13th season as head coach for the men's ice hockey team in 2019-2020 at the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire. Last season Loen led the Blugolds to the Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (WIAC) tournament championship. In 2017-2018, he was named WIAC Co-Coach of the Year, an honor he has earned six times in the last nine years. He also received the honor in 2009-10, 2010-11, 2012-13, 2014-15 and 2016-17. In 2012-2013, Loen and the Blugolds captured the NCAA Division III National Championship in Lake Placid, New York. That year, Loen was named the USCHO and D3Hockey.com National Coach of the Year. The Blugolds also won the NCHA and WIAC Conference Championships. Loen ranks 6th on the all-time WIAC Coaches Wins List. He has also been named NCHA Coach of the Year in 2011 and 2013. Loen is the school's all-time leader in wins with an overall record 190-117-27.

THE CONFERENCE:

• UW-Stout is a member of the six-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. Northland College joined the league this season.

LENDING AN ASSIST: Goalie Evan Bisek recorded an assist against Marian University, Nov. 2, 2019...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.

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...
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: Trent Olson vs. St. Mary's University, Jan. 17, 2019 
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: 41, Tommi Ahlgren vs. UW-Superior, Nov. 30, 2018
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: Evan Bisek vs. Marian University, Nov. 2, 2019
A Stout team scored 5-7 goals: 7 vs. Northland College (W 7-1), Dec. 8, 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. Marian University, Nov. 17, 2018 (3-0); vs. Lawrence University, Nov. 16, 2018 (4-0); 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 recorded back-to-back shutouts: Nov. 16, 2018, 3-0, vs. Lawrence University, Nov. 17, 2018, 4-0, vs. Marian University
Stout was shut out: vs. Gustavus Adolphus (2-0), Nov. 9, 2019
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 Nov. 19, 2018 and received a single vote in the Dec. 3 rankings before dropping out...the last time the Blue Devils were mentioned was with 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 last 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 take Thanksgiving week off and will then continue conference play when they travel to defending national champion UW-Stevens Point, Friday, Dec. 6, then come home to host UW-Superior, Saturday, Dec. 7.