ST. PAUL, Minn.  — Wisconsin played like its season was on the line Saturday, boldly claiming the WCHA Final Five's consolation game against Denver.

The Badgers blasted past the top-ranked Pioneers, 6-3, in the third-place tournament game. Blake Geoffrion scored twice for Wisconsin.

"They've had our number in the past," said Geoffrion, recalling five losses to the Pioneers last season. "So there was a little grudge, which makes this sweeter."

Ben Street, Derek Stepan, Sean Dolan and Michael Davies also scored as the Badgers (25-10-4) put themselves in better position to garner a No. 1 seed when the NCAA tournament's 16-team field is announced on Sunday.

With a No. 1 seed already locked up, Denver (27-9-4) looked disinterested for long stretches, and trailed 5-1 before showing signs of life late. Rhett Rakhshani and Jesse Martin scored power play goals, and Nate Dewhurst scored his first goal of the season. But starting Pioneers goaltender Marc Cheverie was lifted halfway through the first period after Wisconsin took a 3-0 lead.

"If you take away those three goals in the first period, it was a 3-3 game, so that good start we had was critical," Wisconsin coach Mike Eaves said.

Both teams were short-handed on Saturday. Denver forward Anthony Maiani missed the game after injuring his hand while blocking a shot during the Pioneers' 4-3 semifinal loss to North Dakota on Friday. Wisconsin defenseman Cody Goloubef sat out after the league issued him a one-game suspension for a hit to the head of St. Cloud State's Nick Oslund in the Badgers' 2-0 loss in the semifinals.

Maiani, who was second on the Pioneers with 26 assists this season, was listed as doubtful for next weekend's NCAA tournament.

"I'm very disappointed with the start we had," Rakhshani said. "In the first period, we didn't give our goalies much help."

Cheverie finished with eight saves before giving way to Adam Murray, who had 34 saves in taking the loss for Denver. Wisconsin goaltender Scott Gudmandson got his 17th win of the season with 33 saves.

"It was more to keep (Cheverie) from getting shelled," Pioneers coach George Gwozdecky said of the goalie change. "We have to have him ready for next week."

Cheverie and Rakhshani are both finalists for the Hobey Baker Award, as are Geoffrion and Brendan Smith from Wisconsin.