Box Score

MENOMONIE, Wis. (uwrfsports.com)-The UW-River Falls Men's Hockey team traveled to take on UW-Stout on Thursday night.  The Falcons clawed back from a 2 goal deficit to take the win 4-3.  Ryan Doner and Zach Schrotenboer both had two goals for the Falcons, pushing their record to 14-5-3 overall and 4-1 in WIAC play.
 
The Falcons got down early to UW-Stout as the Blue Devils' Joe Kleven found the back of the net to put the Falcons down 1-0.  Not long after the first goal of the game, the Falcons would have a chance to get even as they went on a power play at the 3:26 mark of the period when UW-Stout was called for tripping.  On the ensuing power play, the Falcons could not sustain any pressure in the offensive end, and could not tie the game at 1.
 
The teams battled with end to end action over the next five minutes with the Falcons generating a few scoring chances, but were unable to find the equalizer.  At the 9:58 mark of the first period the Bluedevils struck again when Shayne McLaughlin found the back of the net putting UW-Stout up 2-0. 
 
The Falcons would answer the 2 goal lead with the next 4 goals of the game.  The Falcons got their first goal of the game at the 13:02 mark when Zach Schrotenboer found the back of the net.  He was assisted on the goal by Eddie Matsushima and Jeff Bergh.  The goal was was Schrotenboer's 5^th of the season.
 
The Falcons would tie the game at the 17:30 mark of the period when Ryan Doner beat the UW-Stout goaltender.  Doner was assisted on his 5^th goal of the season by Eddie Matsushima and Kyle Gattelaro.
 
As the Falcons tied the game at 2, UW-Stout's Riley Colvard was given a 2 minute penalty for kneeing.  The Falcons were unable to take advantage of the power play and the 1^st period ended with the score tied at 2.  The Falcons out shot the Blue Devils 11-6 in the first period. 
 
The intensity and physicality ramped up in the second period.  The first couple minutes of the period the Blue Devils pressured to break the tie, firing numerous shots at the Falcon net, but Tanner Milliron stood tall and stopped them all. 
 
The Falcons would break the tie at the 4:57 mark of the period when Ryan Doner would score his second goal of the night.  Doner was assisted on the goal by Kyle Gattelaro, his second assist of the night. 
 
The Falcon penalty killers and goaltender would be tested for a long period of time in the second period when at the 5:29 mark of the period Kyle Gattelaro was called for a 5 minute charging major.  The Falcon penalty killers were outstanding during the 5 minute Stout power play, not allowing them to get set up in the offensive end at all.  The Falcons only allowed Stout to get 3 shots on Tanner Milliron and blocked two other attempts towards the net. 
 
The next 6 minutes after the long power play saw both teams generate scoring chances and both goaltenders continue to make saves.  The Falcons would get their chance on the power play, when at the 16:32 mark of the period UW-Stout was called for boarding. 
 
The Falcons would sustain good pressure early in the power play forcing the Stout goalie to make a couple of big saves.  With about 35 seconds left in the power play, UW-Stout's Joe Kleven was given a 5 minute major penalty for cross checking.  The Falcons would go on a 5 on 3 power play for the next 35 seconds.  The Falcons generated some great scoring chances on the ensuing 2 man advantage.  The Falcons would finally break through on the power play at the 18:38 mark of the period.  Zach Schrotenboer would find the back of the net for his second goal of the game putting the Falcons up 4-2.  He was assisted on the goal by Terry Leabo and Jeff Bergh.
 
The Falcons would still be on the power play for the rest of the period but could not get another goal before the period ended with the Falcons up 4-2.  The shots were even in the second period at 15 a piece. 
 
The third period started with Falcons on the power play.  The Falcons would generate some good chances early but could not increase their lead.  Soon after the power play ended for the Falcons, they would pressure again only to be turned away by the Blue Devil goaltender. 
 
The action would pick up late in the period when the Blue Devils would cut the Falcon lead to 1.  At the 15:27 mark of the period Gavin Smith found the back of the net, tightening the game back up. 
 
After the goal, Stout continued to pressure and fire shots at goaltender Tanner Milliron, who was there to stop them all.  Things got even more interesting for the Falcons at the 17:20 mark of the period, when Jeff Bergh was called for hooking.  Tanner Milliron would make 3 big saves in the first 1:30 of the power play, protecting the Falcons' 1 goal lead.  The Blue Devils would pull their goalie at the 18:50 mark of the period, giving them a two man advantage in the offensive zone.  The Falcon defense would block a couple of shots in the last minute and Tanner Milliron was forced to make 2 more saves to secure the Falcon victory 4-3. 
 
Tanner Milliron finished the night with 28 saves to pick up the victory.  The Falcons upped their record to 14-5-3 overall and 4-1 in the WIAC.
 
The Falcons are back in action Friday February 5^th at Hunt Arena, when they host UW-Superior.  Puck drop is set for 7:05pm.