MENOMONIE (February 18, 2023) - The Blue Devils scored only 45 seconds into the game to get on top of the Falcons. UW-Stout (17-9-1) never trailed during the game to secure the win and advance to the second round of the WIAC Hockey Tournament/Commissioner Cup.
To start the game, Stout came down on an odd man rush and after a rebound,
Matt Dahlseide got it passed Skinner to make the game 1-0 just 45 seconds into the game.
Jacob Halvorson and
Brendan Boyce assisted on the goal.
At 2:37 of the period, River Falls (11-15-1) went on their first power play, but the Blue Devils successfully killed off the penalty.
The Falcons evened up the score at 9:40 of the period. Logan Severson scored with assists from Peter Grytdahl and Anthony Vidrick.
Stout went on their first power play at 14:24 and River Falls went on their second power play at 16:42. But both penalties were killed.
At the end of the first period, the Falcons led in shots 12-7.
In the second period, River Falls went on the power play at 59 seconds. But at 2:49 of the period, Stout's
Peyton Hart scored a short handed goal to make the game 2-1. The Blue Devils returned to full strength 10 seconds after the goal.
At 5:32 of the period, the Falcons received a five minute major penalty putting the Blue Devils on the power play for the next five minutes. But with 1:04 left in the five minute major, Stout took a penalty and the game saw four on four. After four on four play, River Falls went on a power play for 56 seconds.
At 10:50 of the second period, Blue Devil's
Peyton Hart scored his second short handed goal of the period to make the game 3-1. The goal was Hart's 17th goal and fifth short handed goal of the year.
During the River Falls power play, the Falcons were assessed another penalty and the game saw four on four hockey. After no goals during the four on four play, Stout went on a power play for 1:17. But River Falls scored a short handed goal themselves at 12:41 of the period. Logan Severson scored the short handed goal with an assist from Owen Belise to make the game 3-2.
At 16:01 of the period, both teams took a penalty and the game saw its third four on four hockey, but no goals were scored.
At the end of the second period, Stout led in shots 23-18.
In the third period, River Falls went on a power play to try and tie the game, but the Blue Devils killed off the penalty to keep the score at 3-2.
At 17:53 of the period, Stout's
Peyton Hart scored his third goal of the game, 18th of the year securing the Blue Devil Victory.
Kobe Keller and
Trenten Heyde assisted on the goal. Hart's hat trick is his third of the season.
Blue Devil's
Tyler Masternak stopped 31 saves and secured the win. River Fall's Dysen Skinner stopped 29 saves.
With the win, Stout will advance to the second round of the WIAC Hockey Tournament/Commissioner Cup next weekend. The Blue Devil's will travel to UW-Stevens Point on Friday, February 24 and Saturday, February 25.
