MENOMONIE — The University of Wisconsin-Stout Polytechnic hockey team (2-1-0) defeated Hamline (0-1-0) 5-0 Friday at Fanetti Community Center, as Fiodor Nikalayenia recorded a hat trick and Sebastian Monaco made 22 saves for the shutout. The Blue Devils went 3-for-5 on the power play.
Stout applied early pressure and broke through at 7:50 of the first period when Nikalayenia scored off assists from Connor Mariner and Nicholas Stevens. Hamline went on the power play shortly after, but the Blue Devils killed the penalty, with Monaco making a save and Felix Cadieux-Fredette blocking a shot to preserve the 1-0 lead through the first intermission.
The Blue Devils pulled away in the second period, scoring three power-play goals. Ikki Kogawa scored at 15:44 off assists from Noah Tyrrell and Sam Kroon to make it 2-0. Nikalayenia added his second goal of the night at 11:14, assisted by Arhip Sidarovich and Josh Galizia. Sidarovich followed 40 seconds later, scoring off assists from Galizia and Nikalayenia to extend the lead to 4-0.
Hamline generated chances later in the period, including a Calvin Knight shot off the pipe at 6:56. The Pipers also had a late power-play opportunity after Hayden Stocks was called for tripping, but Monaco and the Stout penalty kill kept them off the board. Hamline pulled its goalie with two seconds remaining after Monaco stopped a Jack Lambert shot, and Stout carried a 4-0 lead into the second intermission.
Stout added the final goal at 16:27 of the third period when Nikalayenia scored at even strength off a McCabe Dvorak assist to complete the hat trick. Hamline hit the pipe again midway through the period, while Galizia also rang a shot off the pipe for the Blue Devils at 10:00. Monaco made two saves during a Hamline power play and Stout closed out the 5-0 shutout.
Nikalayenia finished with four points. Sidarovich recorded a power-play goal and an assist while winning six of nine faceoffs. Dvorak added an assist, put three shots on goal and won eight of 11 faceoffs. Monaco finished with 22 saves for his shutout.
Stout travels to Winona, Minn., to face Saint Mary's University (Minn.) on Saturday, Nov. 7, at 7 p.m. at SMU Ice Arena.
