Oct. 29, 2004

Box Score

MADISON, Wis. - Ross Carlson and Joe Pavelski scored two goals each and Bernd Bruckler made 28 saves to lead the fifth-ranked Wisconsin Badgers to a 6-3 win over the 10th-ranked Denver Pioneers in Western Collegiate Hockey Association action tonight at Kohl Center. Wisconsin stays unbeaten at 5-0 and 3-0 in the WCHA, while Denver drops to 3-3 and 2-1.

"We gave ourselves a chance to win it in the third period, but Wisconsin wanted the game more than we did," head coach George Gwozdecky said. "We will learn from this game and be better tomorrow night."

Carlson redirected a Davis Drewiske shot at 2:50 of the third period for the game-winning goal. Pavelski iced it for Wisconsin with his second power-play goal of the night at 11:17 and Robbie Earl's goal completed a three-point night to make the final 6-3. Denver's Jon Foster (Suffern, N.Y.) scored for the sixth consecutive game and Jeff Drummond (Leduc, Alberta) added two assists to highlight Denver's offensive attack. Goaltender Glenn Fisher (Edmonton, Alberta) took the loss with 19 saves.

Each team scored once in a quick first period. Luke Fulghum (Colorado Springs, Colo.) converted a Wisconsin turnover to give Denver a 1-0 lead at 7:38 and Wisconsin's Burish tied it up with a rebound goal off a shot by Robbie Earl at 13:53. Denver outshot the host Badgers 11-7 in the period.

Pavelski rang the bell early in the second to give Wisconsin its first lead of the night. Pavelski buried a wrist shot on a 2-0 breakaway after a Brett Skinner (Brandon, Manitoba) turnover. Foster tied it for Denver when he scored for the sixth consecutive game. Foster one-timed a pass from Skinner on a 5-on-3 power play at 3:36. Carlson regained the lead for Wisconsin with a power-play goal at 13:03, but Denver's Geoff Paukovich's (Englewood, Colo.) goal at 14:56 tied the game at 3-3 heading to the final stanza.

Denver outshot Wisconsin, 31-25, but converted only 1-of-7 power-play attempts. The loss was Denver's first against Wisconsin at Kohl Center since the building opened in 1998.

Denver and Wisconsin will battle in the series finale tomorrow night at Kohl Center. Puck drop is set for 6:07 p.m. MT.