Feb. 4, 2005

Box Score

GRAND FORKS, N.D. - Sophomore goaltender Glenn Fisher (Edmonton, Alberta) made 26 saves and senior Nick Larson's (Moorhead, Minn.) first career goal was the game winner as the fourth-ranked University of Denver Pioneers defeated the 13th-ranked North Dakota Fighting Sioux, 4-2, in WCHA action tonight before 10,908 fans at Engelstad Arena. Freshman Geoff Paukovich (Englewood, Colo.) added two goals as the Pioneers won their sixth consecutive game to improve their record to 19-6-1 overall and 14-4-1 in the WCHA. North Dakota falls to 15-11-3, 10-10-1.

"We came out a little tight tonight, but we were opportunistic in a very defensive-minded game," Denver head coach George Gwozdecky said. "Sometimes that's how you have to play on the road in this league. It was a good win for us."

Larson's first career goal was his first in 53 career games as Denver remained red-hot with its 14th win in its last 16 contests. The senior defenseman from Moorhead, Minn., beat UND goaltender Philippe Lamoureax high to the stick side at the 18:31 mark of the second period less than one after the Fighting Sioux cut Denver's lead to 2-1.

"It was a very timely goal by Nick and nice shot," Gwozdecky said. "The players were very excited for him. I don't think I've seen our bench that excited this year."

Paukovich's second goal of the night iced it for Denver at the 6:24 mark of the third period. Paukovich streaked down the slot and beat Lamoureax through the five hole for Denver's second power-play goal of the game.

Paul Stastny (St. Louis, Mo.), the two-time reigning Red Baron WCHA Rookie of the week, staked Denver to a 1-0 lead in the first period. Stastny walked-in with the puck on the power play from the right faceoff circle and drilled a wrist shot past Lamoureux for his 11th goal of the season. Brett Skinner (Brandon, Manitoba) and Gabe Gauthier (Buena Park, Calif.) earned assists on the play.

Paukovich gave Denver a 2-0 lead with a goal at 10:41 of the second period. Paukovich camped out in front of the net and slid in a rebound off a shot from Adrian Veideman (Sicamous, B.C.). Jeff Drummond (Leduc, Alberta) extended his point streak to six games with an assist on the play. Fisher made eight saves in the period as UND outshot Denver, 8-6.

Rastislav Spriko cut the lead to 2-1 with a backhanded shot from the slot at 17:53 of the second period and cut Denver's lead to 3-2 in the third before Paukovich scored Denver's fourth and goal of the night.

UND outshot Denver, 28-26 , in the game and went 1-for-5 on the power play. Lamoureax made 22 saves in the loss. Denver went 2-for-4 on the power play and remained in third place in the league with 29 points. Fisher turned in a solid performance in net for his ninth win of the season. Drummond, Gauthier and Veideman each had two assists for Denver.

The Pioneers and Fighting Sioux will battle in game two of the series tomorrow night at 6:07 p.m. MT. The game can be heard live on KCKK AM 1600 and DenverPioneers.com.