Neighbors UW-Stout, UW-River Falls Split

(From UW-Stout Sports Information)

UW-Stout got goals in the first and third periods and made them stand up in a 2-1 win over fourth ranked UW-River Falls Saturday at Hunt Arena.

Coming off a 4-3 loss the night before, Stout (7-9-1, 3-6-1 NCHA) took the lead in the first period when Chris Stafne (So, Duluth, Minn) scored his first goal of the season in front of the net at 7:52, getting assists from Charles Lachance (So, Quebec City, Quebec) and Joe Beaudette (Jr, Blaine, Minn).

Nick Hopper (Jr, Culver City, Calif) played a strong night in net, particularly in the second period when he turned away 13 shots by the Falcons (12-3-2, 6-2-2 NCHA).

The Blue Devils doubled the score when Mike Hartviksen (So, Thunder Bay, Ont) picked off the puck off a save and backhanded the shot off the skate of Falcons' goalie Scott Lewan at 7:43 in the third period. Branden Gay (Sr, Calgary, Alberta) earned the assist.

Hopper would finish the night with 30 saves, including 10 in the third period. The lone goal Hopper would give up came on the power play at 12:59 in the third on a goal by Jason Yuel.

In contrast to the night before, the Falcons outshot the Blue Devils, 31-26. Stout had only one power play opportunity, while the Falcons were 1-for-4. Lewan had 24 saves for River Falls.

Stout will host St. Norbert College, Friday, Jan. 20 at 6:30 p.m. and Saturday, Jan. 21 at 1:30 p.m. at the Xcel Energy Center in St. Paul, Minn.