By Kylie Bowman:
This weekend the Blue Devil men’s hockey team faced the Falcons from UW-River Falls for a weekend set.
Friday’s game was dominated by the Falcons (13-6-3, 6-3-0 WIAC) from the beginning, as the team held a 4-0 lead at the end of the first period. Blue Devil goalie Chase Hollander, a freshman from Random Lake, was unable to hold the Falcons at bay as they shot two power play goals, a shorthanded goal, and an even strength goal within the first period, sending Hollander to the bench.
Freshman Corey Koop from Squamish, BC stepped in as goalie with the opening of the second period, but had the amount of success Hollander did. Stout (7-15-0, 3-6-0 WIAC) got on the board four minutes in to the second period with a shot from junior Zach Vierling from Coon Rapids, Minn.
Unfortunately for the Blue Devils the Falcons got two even strength goals past Koop within the second period, gaining a 6-1 lead.
Third period started out well for Stout with a pair of goals made by Jordan Tredinnick a junior from Onalaska, and Matt Millis a junior from Black River Falls. The Blue Devils trailed by three points (6-3) but the Falcons scored three more goals before the conclusion of the game.
Though shots did get past both goalies, Hollander recorded five saves while giving up four goals, and Koop made 23 saves giving up five goals.
The two teams met again the next day, Saturday, Feb. 15th at the Hunt Arena. Stout was itching for revenge in their big loss of the previous day, and this game was much closer in score, ending in an overtime loss for Stout.
For the first two periods of the game, neither team was able to get on the scoreboard. The first goal was made by Vierling 3:42 in to the third period with a power play goal. Teammate Christian George scored less than a minute later, leading the Falcons 2-0.
Late in the third period, Stout led 2-1 and George scored again. George had an impressive night, getting the hat trick as his third goal of the night came with less than two minutes left in overtime.
Despite the best efforts of the Blue Devils, the Falcons dominated with a final score of 3-2. Corey Koop had a successful night defending the goal, with a total of 39 saves.
The 2013-2014 men’s hockey regular season will wrap up next week with two games: an away game against Eau Claire on Thursday, Feb. 20th and a home game Friday, Feb. 21st hosting UW-Superior.