Dec. 29, 2006

Stats

Denver, Colo. - #10 Denver scored a pair of first period goals and went on from there to defeat Mercyhurst 3-0 Friday night in the opening day of the annual Denver Cup. The Pioneers improved to 13-6-2 in winning their fourth straight. The Lakers, who played then #3 Maine to a 1-1 overtime tie December 16 in their last outing, dropped to 4-11-4.

Denver broke on top early in the first period when junior winger Geoff Paukovich, one of ten Pioneers drafted by National Hockey League teams, parked his second goal of the season behind Mercyhurst senior netminder Jordan Wakefield. Freshman forward Brock Trotter made it 2-0 at 17:22 when he cashed his first of two power play goals on the night. Denver outshot Mercyhurst 20-6 in the first twenty minutes.

The Denver lead grew to 3-0 at 2:23 of the second when Trotter scored the lone goal of the middle frame on another Denver power play. Wakefield and the Lakers blanked the Pioneers for the final 37:37, but the offense couldn't solve Denver junior goaltender Peter Mannino.

Wakefield, making back-to-back starts for the first time in his abbreviated career since late December of 2003, turned in another outstanding performance in defeat. The Spruce Grove, Alberta, native stopped 48 of 51 shots. This followed a 45-save performance December 16 in a 1-1 tie at then #3 Maine. Mannino turned aside all 25 Mercyhurst shots.

Denver outshot Mercyhurst 51-25 and converted two power play chances in six tries. Mercyhurst finished 0 for 5.

The Lakers played without the services of leading scorer Ben Cottreau, who was hurt during the stalemate at Maine two weeks ago. Mercyhurst was blanked for the first time this season and for the first time since a 5-0 setback at Army 51 weeks ago.

Mercyhurst will play Brown in Saturday's first game at 6:07 eastern time while Denver and UMass-Lowell will battle in the nightcap. UMass-Lowell and Brown skated to a 1-1 overtime tie in the tournament's opening game, but the River Hawks prevailed in a shootout.