Jan. 20, 2006

Box Score

MADISON, Wis. - Junior Glenn Fisher (Edmonton, Alberta) stopped 28 shots for his first career shutout and Geoff Paukovich (Englewood, Colo.) scored the game-winning goal as No. 19 Denver upset No. 1 Wisconsin, 1-0, tonight in WCHA action before 15,237 fans at Kohl Center. Paukovich's game-winning goal in the second period ended his 28-game scoring drought and Fisher bounced back with a dynamite effort after being pulled in his last outing against St. Cloud State on Jan. 13. With the win, DU improves to 13-10-2 overall and 10-5-2 in the WCHA. Wisconsin falls to 18-3-2, 13-2-2. DU is tied for second in the WCHA with Minnesota at 22 points. The Pioneers also upped their mark at Kohl Center to 8-1-2.

"Glenn Fisher was awesome tonight," head coach George Gwozdecky said. "In order to win big games, it starts with goaltending and Fisher was the difference tonight. We felt good about our team before the game and I thought we played pretty well."

Fisher improved to 6-5-2 with his most important win of the season. He stopped 12 shots in the first period and eight in each of the last two periods for DU's second consecutive win. The shutout was also the first against the top-ranked Badgers this season.

Paukovich buried his first goal of the season and second career game-winner from the low slot at 4:22 of the second period. He received a nifty centering pass from J.D. Corbin (Littleton, Colo.) and beat Shane Connelly (22 saves) high to the glove side. Freshman T.J. Fast (Calgary, Alberta) also assisted on the play.

Wisconsin started fast by outshooting DU, 12-6, in the opening stanza. Fisher thwarted all 12 shots and set the tone for the Pioneers, who improved to 7-5-1 on the road and 4-5-1 against ranked teams this season. DU outshot Wisconsin, 17-16, in the final two periods.

DU (0-for-4) and Wisconsin (0-for-5) were both blanked on the power play. The teams play game two of the series tomorrow night at Kohl Center. Puck drop is scheduled for 6:07 p.m. MT.