Nov. 11, 2006

Box Score

MADISON, Wis. - The Kohl Center magic continues for the Denver Pioneers. Freshman Rhett Rakhshani (Huntington Beach, Calif.) scored the game-winning goal with 15 seconds left in overtime as the No. 14 Pioneers completed a two-game sweep of the No. 7 Wisconsin Badgers with a 4-3 win in WCHA action tonight before 15,083 fans at Kohl Center. DU improved to 11-1-2 all-time against the Badgers at Kohl Center since the building opened in 1998 and gained their first two-game series sweep to improve to 6-4-0 overall and 4-2-0 in league play. Wisconsin falls to 4-6-2 and 3-4-1 with its third consecutive loss.

Junior All-American candidate Ryan Dingle (Steamboat Springs, Colo.) turned in an outstanding game for DU with two-goals and the game-winning assist. Rakhshani added two assists for his first career three-point effort, while Brian Gifford (Moorhead, Minn.) netted his first career goal and added an assist in DU's third consecutive win.

Junior goaltender Peter Mannino (Steamboat Springs, Colo.) earned the hard-fought win with a season-high 39 saves. The Pioneers squandered two two-goal advantages in the game, but found enough energy to break a 3-3 tie with the late overtime goal.

"We battled hard and got a big goal in overtime to earn this sweep," DU head coach George Gwozdecky said. "I really like the way that our team is coming together. We had several strong individual performances, but it took a total team effort in a tough environment."

Rakshani netted his first career game-winning goal when he drove hard to the net and tapped a beautiful centering pass from Dingle past Wisconsin goaltender Brian Elliott (33 saves) in the final shift of the game. DU's Geoff Paukovich (Englewood, Colo.) started the play by clearing the puck to Dingle whose speed created a 3-on-2 advantage.

DU jumped out to a 2-0 lead on goals from Gifford and Dingle. Wisconsin cut the lead to 2-1 on a goal from Mike Davies at 6:43 of the second period, but Dingle answered with a rebound goal off his own shot at 4:15 of the third period. Wisconsin rallied with third period goals from Jake Dowell and John Mitchell to send the game to overtime.

The Pioneers outshot Wisconsin 17-13 in the first period, but tired in the second when Wisconsin's intensity increased to create six power-play opportunities in the second. DU's penalty kill unit expended a lot of energy by stopping 5-of-6 Badger power-play opportunities and Mannino allowed just one goal on 14 power-play shots during the flurry.

The Badgers appeared to have earned the 3-3 tie before DU's heroics in overtime. Sophomore Patrick Mullen (Pittsburgh, Pa.) added two assists in the win and DU looked better on the power play with a 1-for-4 effort. Wisconsin outshot the Pioneers 42-37 and finished 1-for-7 with the man-advantage.

The Pioneers host Michigan Tech at Magness Arena Nov. 17-18. Puck drop is set for 7:37 p.m. MT on Friday night.