Box Score

RIVER FALLS, Wis. (uwrfsports.com)-The UW-River Falls Men's Hockey team looked to clinch the regular season WIAC Championship when they took on WIAC rival UW-Stout, Saturday night at Hunt Arena.  The Falcons celebrated their seniors before the game, and they also stole the show during the game.  Seniors Zach Schrotenboer, and Mike Williams scored goals for the Falcons.  Senior Captain Alex Murphy added an assist and Tanner Milliron recorded his 4 shutout of season as the Falcons clinched the regular season WIAC Championship with a big 4-0 win over UW-Stout.
 
The Falcons came out in the first period and made a statement early with their physical play.  The Falcons sustained pressure in the offensive end early and often, causing UW-Stout to take a penalty out of frustration 2 minutes into the game when Joe Kleven, behind the play took out Falcon net minder Tanner Milliron for a 2 minute goalie interference penalty, sending the Falcons to an early power play.
 
The Falcons could not sustain any pressure in the early part of the power play and just as it looked like they were going to get setup in the offensive end, Christian George was called for hooking at the 2:54 mark of the period, 50 seconds into the power play.  4 on 4 hockey ensued for a little over a minute and then the Bluedevils went on the power play.
The Falcon penalty killers made quick work of the UW-Stout power play, not allowing a shot to get to their net.
 
After the two power plays the physicality ramped up with both teams delivering thunderous hits all over the ice.  At the 11:59 mark of the period Cory Lushanko was called for a major penalty, hitting a defenseless player when he delivered a huge open ice check on one of the Bluedevil defenseman.  UW-Stout would go on a 5 minute power play.
 
The Falcon penalty killers were up to the task early in the power play as they kept UW-Stout from getting any pressure in the offensive end.  At the 12:33 mark of the period the Stout power play was cut short when Danny Ray slashed Mike Dietrich on a breakaway to keep him from scoring.  4 on 4 hockey ensued for the next two minutes as both teams generated chances at either end of the ice, but both goaltenders were up to the challenge. 
 
After the slashing penalty to Danny Ray expired the Bluedevils went back on the power play, with about 1:30 left on the major penalty to Cory Lushanko.  Tanner Milliron stood tall in net as the Bluedevils made him make a few good saves to keep the score tied at 0.
 
After the power play, the physical hitting continued the rest of the period, but neither team could find the back of the net.  The first period ended with the score still 0-0.  The Falcons out shot the Bludevils 9-8 in the period.
 
The second period started just as physical as the first and it continued the whole period.  The Falcons generated some great scoring chances in the opening minutes of the frame, but could not break the scoreless tie. 
 
The Falcons would get a huge opportunity at the 12:53 mark when the Bluedevils were called for interference.  The Falcons generated some great pressure on the power play, but were unable to find the back of the net. 
 
The Falcons would go on the power play again at the 16:46 mark, when extended pressure in the offensive end cause UW-Stout to take a hooking penalty.  The Falcons would capitalize on the power play when Zach Schrotenboer took a pass from Brian Drapluk from behind the net and snapped a wrist shot past the Stout goalie to give the Falcons a 1-0 lead.  The goal was Schrotenboer's 8^th of the season.
 
The Falcons continued to pressure as the 2^nd period ended with the Falcons holding onto their 1 goal lead.  The Falcons out shot the Bluedevils 15-9 in the second period. 
 
The third period began much like the other two periods, very physical and with end to end action.  Tanner Milliron stood tall for the Falcons making a couple of huge saves early, but he was answered by Stout's netminder Nick Schmit with a couple of unbelieveable saves of his own.
 
The Falcons controlled the third period with great puck posession and defense. The Falcons protected their 1 goal lead by playing smart hockey and not allowing Stout to get anything going.  It looked like the game would end 1-0, but the Falcons broke out in a big way at the end of the period scoring 3 goals in quick succession. 
 
The first Falcon goal came at the 17:26 mark of the period when Joe Drapluk took a great pass from Taylor Burden and buried the puck in the back of the net putting the Falcons up 2 with 2:34 left in the game.  The goal was Drapluk's 7^th of the season.
 
After the goal, the Bluedevils got control of the ensuing faceoff and dumped the puck into the Falcon end and pulled their goalie for the extra attacker.  Less than 30 seconds later Ryan Doner made a great pass up the middle to Kyle Gattelaro who out raced the Stout defenseman and put the puck into the empty net making the score 3-0. 
 
The Falcons would not stop being aggressive and a minute later scored the final goal of the game, when Senior Mike Williams was set up with a 2 on 1 break by Ryan Gotelaere and fellow Senior Alex Murphy.  Williams ripped a shot top shelf off the cross bar and in to make the final score 4-0.
 
Tanner Milliron recorded his 4^th shutout of the season stopping all 22 shots he faced.  The Falcons ended up out shooting the Bluedevils 38-22.
 
With the win, the UW-River Falls Men's hockey team clinches the regular season WIAC Championship. 
 
The Falcons will be back in action at Hunt Arena Feb. 26^th when they host the first round of the WIAC Playoffs.