Hockey Preview: Stout begins tournament play at River Falls

WIAC Men's Hockey Championship | WIAC Weekly Notes | UW-River Falls Live Stats | UW-River Falls Live Video

THIS WEEK'S GAMES: The Blue Devils (13-10-2, 0-6-2 WIAC) will participate in the first round of the WIAC tournament by traveling to UW-River Falls (10-9-5, 1-4-3 WIAC), Friday, Feb. 15 and Saturday, Feb. 16. Both games are scheduled for 7:05 p.m. The series is the best of two with a mini-game, if needed. Stout is the fifth seed and River Falls the fourth seed. The Falcons won the teams first meeting 4-1, Feb. 2, in River Falls and the teams tied 4-4 in Menomonie, Feb. 9. The winner of the series will travel to top-ranked UW-Stevens Point, Friday, Feb. 22 and Saturday, Feb. 23. 
 
A LOOK AT UW-STOUT:

• The Blue Devils return four seniors, defensemen Mathias Ahman and Joe Kleven, and forwards Gavin Smith and Dylan Zins. Those four seniors will be recognized Saturday, Feb. 9. In addition, Stout has eight juniors, seven sophomores, and 11 freshmen.
• Senior defenseman Mathias Ahman, a 2017-18 All-American, leads the team in scoring with eight goals and 12 assists. Ahman is a key player on the Blue Devils' power play and has notched four goals while on the advantage. 
• Freshmen Logan Nelson and Arturas Laukaitis are among the Blue Devils' scoring leaders. Nelson has 10 goals and six assists, while Laukaitis has 10 goals and seven assists. Both Nelson and Laukaitis each have four power play goals. 
• Senior defenseman Mathias Ahman has been clamped down on a bit after his breakout All-American junior season. Ahman currently has eight goals and nine assists, 22nd nationally among defensemen. After scoring seven power play goals lasts season, Ahman has four power play goals..
• Conner Valesano leads the team in assists with 12, while Hunter Anderson has 11 and Connor Chambers  10 assists, Raphael Gosselin and Joe Kleven each have nine.
• Tommi Ahlgren has seen action in 22 games and has started 19 games, tallying 1296 minutes, with a GAA of 2.36, and a saves percentage of .910. 
• In goal, Brady Meyers has made three appearances, picking up a 3-0 shutout win in his collegiate debut against Trine. He has twice come on in relief to allow one goal and has a goals against average (GAA) of 0.54 and a saves percentage of .972.
• The Blue Devils are averaging 3.2 goals per game, good for a 34th ranking nationally. Stout is surrendering 2.6 goals per game. The Blue Devils' penalty kill is currently 10th in the NCAA Division III (88.9). Stout has a power play percentage of 20.2, 32nd nationally.
• Complete Blue Devil 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 DEVIL SPECIAL TEAMS

• The Blue Devils are 18-89 on the power play (.202), 32nd nationally. Logan Nelson, Mathias Ahman and Arturas Laukaitis each have four power play goals. Alex Bowe and Raphael Gosselin each have two power play goals. Lucas Carroll has two shorthanded goals, and is tied for second nationally. Jack Cernohous scored Stout's first shorthanded goal, his first career goal. Trent Olson has one shorthanded goal. The Blue Devils have scored at least one power play goal in 14 games and four times have scored two power play goals in single games.
• On the penalty kill, the Blue Devils are 11-99 (.889), tops in the WIAC, and 10th among the NCAA Division III.

LOTS OF GOALS

• When Stout scored seven goals in a 7-1 win over Northland College, Dec. 8, 2018, it was the most goals scored since scoring seven in a 7-2 win over Aurora University, Jan. 23, 2015. Only two weeks earlier, Stout scored eight goals in an 8-5 win over Concordia University Wisconsin, Jan. 10, 2015. The six goal differential over Northland was the widest since Stout defeated St. Thomas, 8-0, Nov. 7, 2009.

BACK-TO-BACK SHUTOUTS

• Tommi Ahlgren recorded 32 saves in a 3-0 shutout win over Lawrence University, Nov. 16, then took a 4-0 shutout win over No. 7 Marian University, Nov. 17, where he recorded 27 saves. Over the last two games, Ahlgren was able to successfully turn away 10 power play opportunities. The Blue Devils last posted back-to-back shutouts win, Jan. 29, 2011 with a 1-0 win at UW-Superior, and Feb. 3, 2011, a 2-0 win at UW-Eau Claire. The first time Stout put together back-to-back shutout wins was Jan. 29-30, 1999, with two home wins, 4-0, 5-0, over St. Scholastics. Tom Lescovich recorded the back-to-back shutouts in 2011, and Ben Plester and Todd Sether teamed for the 1999 shutouts.

BLUE DEVILS LAST TIME OUT

• The Blue Devils were downed by UW-Stevens Point, 6-3, Feb. 8, and tied UW-River Falls, 4-4, Feb. 9, in the final regular season game. 
• UW-Stout had a substantial lead, but let UW-River Falls back into the game and the Blue Devils had to come back to claim a tie 4-4 with the Falcons in the final regular season game Saturday at the Fanetti Community Center. The Falcons scored three goals in the third period, then took a 4-3 lead in the third. Stout senior Joe Kleven scored the game-tying goal midway through the third period. | Game Story and Statistics
• UW-Stout matched top-ranked UW-Stevens Point goal-for-goal into the second period, but the Pointers rolled off four straight goals to take a 6-3 win over the Blue Devils Friday at KB Willett Arena. | Game Story and Statistics

Game Stats Tracker

UW-Stout	Statistics	UW-Stevens Point	UW-River Falls
3.2	Goals/game	-	2.7
2.6	Goals Allowed	-	2.4
20.2 percent	Power Play %	-	24.1 percent
88.9 percent	Penalty Kill %	-	81.8 percent
3	Shutouts	-	2

SCOUTING UW-RIVER FALLS

• The Falcons are led by senior Eddie Matsushima, who leads the team in goals (14), assists (15), points (29), and penalty minutes (53). Matsushima also has three power play goals and two short-handed goals. Cayden Cahill has added seven goals and 11  assists on the season. Christian Hausinger has 15 points on the season including 13 assists. In net, Zach Quinn has made most of the starts with 14. Quinn has a 2.63 goal against average and a .108 save percentage. Joe Marcouiller has played in 11 games and owns a 1.87 goal against average and a .931 save percentage.
• River Falls Stats

FALCONS LAST TIME OUT

• The Falcons lost 3-1 to UW-Superior on a snowy, Feb. 7 evening, then two days later forged a 4-4 tie with UW-Stout two days later. | UW-Superior Game Story and Stats | UW-River Falls Game Story and Stats

WHEN STOUT AND RIVER FALLS LAST MET

• River Falls men's hockey team finishes regular season play at UW-Stout and leave with a 4-4 tie on Saturday evening. The Blue Devils of UW-Stout finish the first period two goals ahead of the Falcons. Another goal would score in favor of the Blue Devils before Josh Arnoldscores his first of the evening at 10:32 with assists by Aussie Miller and Eddie Matsushima. A few minutes later at 15:06 in the second period Ryan Cusinscores an unassisted goal to place the deficit at just one goal. Josh Arnold finds the net yet again in the second period at 18:11 with assists by Aussie Miller and Ryan Gotelaere to tie the game at three a piece. The Falcons would find themselves with the lead by 9:38 in the third period when Eddie Matsushima places his 14th goal of the season into the net. He is assisted by teammate Ryan Gotelaere. UW-Stout would then level the game at four goals at 13:43 in the third. Falcons put five shots on goal in the five-minute overtime period but were unable to find the net. The Falcons leave UW-Stout with the tie. Eddie Matsushima and Cayden Cahill both had a five shots on the game. The team tallied a total of 32 shots. Joe Marcouiller and Zach Quinnwould defend the net in tonight's game with 10 and 18 saves respectively.. | Game Story and Statistics

USCHO.com TOP 15 DIVISION III POLL: The Blue Devils received votes in the 2018-19 USCHO.com poll starting Nov. 18, but dropped out in mid-December. They returned to the "Receiving Votes" category with 10 in the Jan. 7 poll, but dropped out after back-to-back losses to UW-Eau Claire and UW-Superior and have not returned. Blue Devil 2018-19 opponents ranking in the Top 15 in the Dec. 10 USHCO.com Division III poll are: UW-Stevens Point, 1st (Feb. 1, Feb. 8); UW-Eau Claire, 6th (Nov. 28, Jan. 23) and Augsburg University, 7th. (Jan. 12). St. Thomas (Dec. 6) and Concordia-Moorhead (Nov. 9, Nov. 10) 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: Week Five: Tommi Ahlgren, Jr, Tampere, Finland; Week Four: none; Week Three: Tommi Ahlgren, Jr, Tampere, Finland; Week Two: Mathias Ahman, Sr, Harnosand, Sweden; Week One: none


AWARDS AND HONORS: 2018-19:

• 2018-19: Tommi Ahlgren was selected as the WIAC Athlete of the Week for the second time this season after stopping 23 shots in 4-2 win over St. Olaf, Jan. 4...Tommi Ahlgren was named the WIAC athlete of the week and to the D3hockey.com Team of the Week, Nov. 20, after posting back-to-back shutout wins over Lawrence (3-0) and seventh ranked Marian (4-0).
• 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' (265-318-43) 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 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 returns to the UWRF program and is in his 23rd season as head coach of the Falcons. He has been the driving force and leader of one of the elite powerhouse college hockey programs in the nation. He is the program's all-time leader in games won. In 2016 he led UWRF to the WIAC regular season championship. In 2015 Freeman led the Falcons to the WIAC playoff Championship including a thirteen game winning streak and 20-7-1 overall record. Freeman has been named Coach of the Year 12 times in his career at UW-River Falls. Freeman is the WIAC all-time leader in games won. He's led the team to the WIAC Championships in 12 of the past 16 seasons. He is the winningest coach in UW-River Falls hockey history and that was accomplished in just six seasons, the shortest period of time of any UWRF coach. Freeman has led the Falcons to 356 wins during his tenure. His teams have averaged nearly 20 wins a season over his 20 years, with a 25 game regular season schedule.

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, 2008THE 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: Spencer Viele vs. UW-Superior, Jan. 29, 2016
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. 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 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 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 winner of the Stout/River Falls match-up will travel to top-seeded and nationally top-ranked UW-Stevens Point, Friday, Feb. 22 and Saturday, Feb. 23.