Second-ranked Pioneers Down Badgers 5-3
November 01, 2002 | Men's Hockey
The defending WCHA champion Denver Pioneers (6-1-0, 1-0-0 WCHA) opened their league season with a 5-3 victory over the hometown Wisconsin Badgers (4-3-0, 0-1-0 WCHA) Friday night at the Kohl Center in front of 10,572 fans. It was the WCHA opener for both teams.
The Badgers took the early lead just 28 seconds into the first period when Ryan MacMurchy put home his second goal of the year after DU goaltender Wade Dubielewicz made an initial save on a shot by Alex Leavitt. The rebound came out to MacMurchy who beat the Pioneer netminder.
It didn't take long for Denver to answer, just 24 seconds later, when Max Bull tipped the puck and tallied his second goal of the season. The Pioneers followed that goal up with a Kevin Doell (third goal) conversion at 1:14, unassisted. That three-goal flurry in just 46 seconds ended first-period scoring for both teams.
The second period began just like the first, but this time the Pioneers extended their lead to 3-1 just 29 seconds after the opening face off. Madison native Kevin Ulanski scored, giving DU its second straight unassisted goal on the night.
Minutes later, senior defenseman Mark Jackson scored his third goal of the season (he entered the year with two goals in his previous 92 games) on a shot from the right point on assists by Leavitt and MacMurchy. The goal at 3:49 was scored right as power-play time expired.
The Pioneers Aaron MacKenzie increased the DU lead when he scored a power-play goal at 12:04 of the second. Jeff Drummond and Conor James assisted on the Pioneer goal.
Senior Brad Winchester tallied his team-leading fifth goal with a second effort that beat Dubielewicz gloveside. After a Badger flurry in front of the net, Winchester poked in the loose puck to pull the UW to within a goal, 4-3. It was the third time in the game the Badgers were within a goal.
Kabotoff was pulled with 1:09 remaining in the third period to give the Badgers an extra attacker. Seconds later DU's Ryan Caldwell took a delay of game penalty at 19:06 providing a two man advantage for the Badgers. However, the Pioneers were able to gain control of the puck along the boards in their own zone. Mackenzie took a short-handed shot at the empty net and scored his second goal of the night and the final goal of the game at 19:33.
Kabotoff made 27 saves in the Badger's first WCHA game of the season, while Dubielwicz made 21.
The Badgers will continue their WCHA conference action tomorrow night when they conclude their series against Denver. The game is scheduled for 7:05 p.m
