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Issued: January 19, 2007

STOUT DOWNS BLUGOLD MEN'S HOCKEY

EAU CLAIRE - UW-Stout maintained its one-point lead in the Northern Collegiate Hockey Association race with a 4-1 decision over UW-Eau Claire at the Hobbs Ice Center Friday night.

The Blugolds were dominating the early going when Stout’s Derek Hanson got a breakaway and scored on Blugold goalie Ryan Mensing at 7:35 of the opening period. That seemed to be the impetus the Blue Devils need to win their eighth straight game. Coach Terry Watkins’ crew, which is ranked No. 5 nationally, is now 6-0-1 in the NCHA and 15-1-2 overall. They did not open any distance on second-place UW-River Falls which kept pace by downing UW-Stevens Point, 3-0, Friday night.

The Blugolds will travel to UW-River Falls Saturday night while Stout goes to Stevens Point.

After taking a 1-0 lead at the first intermission, Stout added a 5 on 3 power play goal just 35 seconds into the second period. The Blue Devils picked up an even strength goal at the 12:34 mark of the second to hold a 3-0 advantage at the second break.

The Blugolds finally got on the scoreboard at 4:46 of the third when Jesse Vesel (So.-Hibbing, MN) scored with assists going to Dan Fina (So.-Fontana, WI/Glenbard South, IL) and Evan Beyers (So.-Eagan, MN).

Stout outshot the Blugolds by a 31-23 margin. Ryan Mensing (So.-Langley, BC) made 27 saves in nets for Eau Claire and Mike Stone stopped 22 shots between the pipes for Stout.

The win gave Stout a sweep of the season series with the Blugolds after taking a 2-1 decision back on Nov. 18. The Blue Devils have not lost to Eau Claire in the last seven meetings between the two clubs.

Eau Claire slipped to 1-5-1 in the NCHA and to 8-8-2 overall. They will face a River Falls team that is 15-2-1 for the season and 6-1-0 in the NCHA. The Blugolds have split in their two previous meetings with the Falcons this season.

Eau Claire-Stout Box Score

- TP -

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