Brett Skinner Unleashes on Minutemen

Nov. 27, 2004

Junior Brett Skinner (Brandon, Manitoba) registered a goal and three assists and junior Gabe Gauthier (Buena Park, Calif.) scored two goals and one assist as the ninth-ranked University of Denver hockey team routed Massachusetts 6-1 Saturday night at Magness Arena in front of 6,096 fans. The Pioneers have now won three straight games and improve their overall record to 8-5, 5-3 in the WCHA. UMass drops to 6-8-1, 3-3-1 HEA.

The story of the game was Skinner, who had a hand in each of the Pioneers' first four tallies and recorded Denver's first four-point game since Matt Carle did so against Minnesota State-Mankato on Feb. 13, 2004. It was the first four-point game of his career and also Denver's first three assist game since last season.

"I was really pleased with the win and our performance," head coach George Gwozdecky said. "It was nice that we did the things to keep UMass off the scoreboard even though we had control of the game. Brett (Skinner) is one of the best offensive defensemen in the country.

"We have the kind of team that we can compete and be successful against anyone in the country."

After assisting on the first two Denver goals, Skinner got his own tally in the second period. Skinner intercepted a pass at the blue line, skated untouched to the crease and beat UMass goalie Gave Winer low on the glove side at 6:15. Gauthier then scored the first of his two goals to give Denver a 4-1 cushion.

Denver scored two goals in less than one minute to earn a 2-1 lead in the first period after allowing UMass to score first. Senior Jeff Drummond (Leduc, Alberta) answered David Leaderer's goal at 14:20 with an individual effort, taking the puck the down the right side and putting a shot past Winer. Adrian Veideman went high with the puck to score a shorthanded goal at 15:45 on a pass from J.D. Corbin. Drummond finished the game with a goal and two assists.

Denver will return to WCHA action next weekend in a two-game series with Michigan Tech (Dec. 3-4). The Pioneers are now on the road for the next four games, spanning the month of December.

Game Summary
First Period
1. UMass - David Leaderer 1 (Mat Anderson)  5:41
2. DU - Jeff Drummond 6 (Gabe Gauthier 7, Brett Skinner 9) 14:20
3. DU - Adrian Veideman 3 (J.D. Corbin 7, Skinner 10) SH 15:45
Second Period
4. DU - Skinner 1 (unassisted) 6:15
5. DU - Gauthier 5 (Skinner 11, Drummond 6) 17:08 PPG
Third Period
6. DU - Gauthier 6 (Viedeman 4, Drummond 7) 01:54 PPG
7. DU - Mike Handza 2 (Matt Laatsch 2) 10:58
Scoring	1-2-3--F
Denver	2-2-2--6
Massachusetts	1-0-0--1
Shots on Goal: DU (9-5--9--23), UMass (4-6-6--16);
Saves: DU - Mannino (3-6-6--15); UMass - Winer (7-3-7--17);
Penalties: DU 4-8, UMass 9-26; Power Plays: DU 1-8, UMass 0-4;
Referee: Marco Hunt. Assistants: Butch Mouseaux, Bob Keltie.
Attendance: 6,097.

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