Pioneers Capture Fifth Consecutive Wells Fargo Denver Cup

Jan. 2, 2005

DENVER - Tournament MVP Paul Stastny (St. Louis, Mo.) scored one goal and added two assists to lead the Denver Pioneers to a 4-0 win over Northeastern as the seventh-ranked Pioneers captured their fifth consecutive Wells Fargo Denver Cup championship tonight before 5,960 fans at Magness Arena. Goaltender Peter Mannino (Farmington Hills, Mich.) made 37 saves for his first career shutout and Matt Carle (Anchorage, Alaska), Gabe Gauthier (Buena Park, Calif) and Ryan Dingle (Steamboat Springs, Colo.) added goals to help Denver improve its unbeaten streak to nine games. Denver improves its record to 13-5-1 overall, while the Huskies drop to 7-9-2.

"Northeastern played well, but the difference was two things: our ability to put the puck in the net, and Peter Mannino's ability to keep it out," head coach George Gwozdecky said. "We are pleased with the win and another championship title, which gives us an emotional boost heading into the second half of our season. Paul Stastny had a terrific night. He is a special player for us and definitely deserved the MVP award."

Carle staked Denver to a 1-0 lead after the first period with his eighth goal of the season. The Pioneers took command of the game with a three-goal second period. Stastny scored unassisted at 4:53, Gauthier scored on the power play at 9:26 and Dingle gave Denver a 4-0 lead at 18:51. The teams played a scoreless third period.

Mannino sparkled in net with 37 saves for the Pioneers. The freshman turned away 10 shots in the first period, 14 in the second and 13 in the third for his first career shutout. Mannino earned all-tournament honors and improved his record to 7-2.

Despite being outshot 37-31, Denver went 1-for-4 on the power play. The Pioneers also limited Northeastern to an 0-for-4 effort on the power play.

Stastny extended his consecutive point streak to 10 games with the three-point effort. He tallied two goals and one assist in Denver's 9-4 win over Air Force last night. Carle, Jon Foster (Suffern, N.Y.) and Northeastern's Jason Guerriero and Brian Deeth joined Stastny and Mannino on the all-tournament team.

Colgate defeated Air Force, 3-0, in the consolation game played earlier Sunday evening. Three different Raiders scored and goaltender Steve Silverthorn made 13 saves for the shutout. Colgate improved to 13-5 overall, while Air Force dropped to 9-7-2.

The Pioneers return to action on Jan. 7-8 with a two-game WCHA series against Michigan Tech at Magness Arena. Puck drop is scheduled for 7:37 p.m. MT on Jan. 7 and 7:07 p.m. on Jan. 8.

Game Summary
First Period
1. DU - Matt Carle 8 (Gabe Gauthier 11) 3:03
Second Period
2. DU - Paul Stastny 8 (unassisted) 4:53
3. DU - Gauthier 11 (Stastny 9, Brett Skinner 19) PPG, 9:26
4. DU - Ryan Dingle 3 (Luke Fulghum 9, Stastny 10) 18:51
Third Period
No Scoring

Scoring		1-2-3--F
Northeastern	0-0-0--0
#7 Denver		1-3-0--4
Shots on Goal: NU (10-14-13--37), DU (11-14-6--31);
Saves: NU - Gibson (10-11-6--27); DU - Mannino (10-14-13--37);
Penalties: NU 7-14, DU 7-14;
Power Plays: NU 0-4, DU 1-4;
Referee: Bill Mason. Assistants: Butch Mousseaux, Bob Keltie.
Attendance: 5,960.

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