MENOMONIE (November 22, 2019) - The Blue Devils had to come back twice in the game, including a three goal deficit, but managed to win 6-5 against the Lumberjacks in the first WIAC matchup of the year.
To start the game, UW-Stout saw a penalty come their way and they went onto the penalty kill with only 51 seconds into the game. Northland College power play chance came to a halt as no shots and no goals were accounted for.
The Blue Devils used that momentum and were flying around the ice. In the first 11 minutes of the game, Stout was outshooting the Lumberjacks, 6-0. But Northland found a two on one opportunity and Kalib Ford scored his first goal of the year for the first goal of the game at 11:37. Jackson Barrett got the assist on the play to put the Lumberjacks up 1-0.
But the Blue Devils weren't phased. It only took 36 seconds after the Northland goal to tie up the game as
Alex Nagel took a slap shot and got it past Unruh.
Jack Cernohous assisted on the play and the game was tied up 1-1.
Like the Blue Devils, Northland didn't take long after a goal to score. Lumberjack's Brendan Charlton scored only 1:16 after the Stout goal to make the game 2-1 in favor of Northland.
At the end of the first period, the Blue Devils went onto a power play with 1:13 left in the period, but did not score. Stout were leading in shots 9-5, but Northland held the score at 2-1.
In the second period, Stout was on a power play from the previous period, but still could not get the puck in the net on special teams. After the penalty, Northland scored with just under a minute to play in the second period. Kurt Sonne scored his third goal of the year to make the score 3-1.
Only 14 seconds after Northland's third goal, Ty Brown scored to make the lead 4-1.
Looking down three goals, the Blue Devil's
Hunter Anderson found a rebound and put the puck in the net to make it a two goal game.
Riley Jensen and
Konnar Dechaine got the assists on the goal to make the game 4-2.
Back and forth play continued in the second period, but Stout's
Alex Bowe scored with only 13 seconds left to play in the period to make it a one goal game. The assists on the goal were awarded to
Evan Butcher and
Kobe Keller.
Going into the second intermission, Stout were outshooting the Lumberjacks 24-15, but still down one goal at 4-3.
In a very exciting third period, Stout evened the score up at 4-4 at 7:29 of the third period and overcame a three goal deficit.
Landon Lushanko scored his first goal of the year with
Hunter Anderson having the lone assist.
Just under three minutes later, Northland took back the lead as Daniel Chartrand scored for the Lumberjacks.
But the Blue Devils continued to fight back as
Hunter Anderson scored his second goal of the night with just under six minutes left to play in the game.
Jack Cernohous and
Peter Verstegen got the assists on the play to make the game tied at 5-5.
With just a little over a minute left to play, Blue Devil's
Lucas Carroll skated around the defenseman and put one top shelf for the Blue Devil's first lead of the game.
Evan Butcher and
Alex Nagel recorded the assists on the game winning goal.
Stout's
Brady Meyers started the game and had four saves.
Evan Bisek came into the game midway through the second period and saved 13 shots. Bisek ended the game with the win.
Lumberjack's Taylor Unruh saved 27 shots, but was handed the loss. Shots on the night were in favor of the Blue Devils, 33-22.
Up next for the Blue Devils is another WIAC matchup between the UW-Eau Claire Blugolds. The game will be played Saturday, November 22 at the Fanetti Community Center with a 7:00 p.m. start time.
