Menomonie, Wis.- The UW-Stout Blue Devils (3-1-0) completed a perfect home weekend with a 6-2 victory over Saint John's University (MN) (2-2-2) on Saturday night in Menomonie, one day after an 8-2 rout of Bethel. Stout has now won three straight, outscoring opponents 17-6 while turning in another masterclass on special teams.
Saint John's stunned the home crowd early, building a 2-0 first-period lead on Jacob McPartland's even-strength goal at 8:25 and Mason Campbell's shorthanded, unassisted marker at 18:22. The Blue Devils stayed composed, storming back in the second with even-strength goals from Maksis Brimanis (2:40, assisted by Noah Tyrrell) and Nicholas Stevens (9:10, assisted by Kullan Daikawa and Tristan Therrien) to knot the score at 2-2.
The third period was Stout's showcase. Freshman Arhip Sidarovich sparked the surge with the game-winning goal at 6:53, unleashing a snipe from the left boards past SJU goaltender Tom Kuriscak (assisted by William Schofield). Tristan Therrien followed with a penalty-shot gem at 10:28, faking high and slipping a five-hole finish. Stout iced it with two empty-netters: Jake McAlpine (16:26, assisted by Sidarovich) and Sidarovich again (18:01, shorthanded, unassisted) to punctuate his two-goal night.
That's two more shorthanded goals on Saturday—matching Friday's pair for a weekend total of four. Stout's penalty kill was flawless at 4-for-4, while the power play fired 13 shots but went 0-for-6.
Arhip Sidarovich was the breakout star: 2 goals (including the GWG), 1 assist, +2, and 6 faceoff wins. Dawson Green secured the win with 23 saves (.920 SV%), as Stout controlled shots (36-25) and plus/minus (+14 team differential), despite losing the faceoff battle 38-41.
Up Next
The Blue Devils hit the road for a Thursday night matchup at 7:00 PM against Beloit College. Stout aims to extend its momentum in non-conference play before returning to WIAC action on Saturday in Eau Claire.
