Frustration and criticism, two words associated with Gopher hockey this season, will either increase or lessen after this weekend’s games at Michigan Tech. Coach Don Lucia’s team needs to win tonight and tomorrow evening to earn home ice in the WCHA playoffs that begin next weekend.
Like a spring thaw, the Gophers have the opportunity to bring some relief to their fans and themselves in a season that has been disappointing and unusual. Last fall the 6-0-4 Gophers were ranked No. 1 in the country. Last weekend at home they had to piece together a tie and win over UMD (tied for fifth place in the WCHA standings along with St. Cloud State and the Gophers) to put themselves in position for this weekend’s important series against last place Tech, 5-22-7 overall, 1-18-7 in the WCHA.
The Gophers, 14-11-7 overall and 11-10-5 in the WCHA, have struggled with goal scoring. Six times in 14 games dating back to January 9 they have scored two goals or less, with a record of eight losses, four wins and two ties.
Goalie Alex Kangas, who had 51 consecutive starts, was replaced last Friday night against by Kent Patterson, his first college start. Minnesota had a 2-2 tie in that game with Kangas back in goal for the Gophers’ 5-3 win over the Bulldogs on Saturday night. A Gopher hockey source suggested to Sports Headliners before the UMD games that Kangas be replaced.
The source is close to the program which is slumping for a second consecutive season. After winning the WCHA regular season and Final Five titles in 2007, the Gophers were 19-17-9 (9-12-7 in the WCHA) last season. The source said “recruiting has fallen off” and the Gophers need more size and goal scoring even though Ryan Stoa and Jordan Schroeder are tied for the scoring lead in the WCHA, each with 33 points in league play.
Lucia, who won consecutive national titles for the Gophers in 2002 and 2003, has experienced a season he assuredly could have done without, struggling with both his team and health. He’s been dealing with sarcoidosis, a disease characterized by inflammatory nodules with symptoms that can include lack of energy. Facing fatigue and a failing team has made this a miserable winter.
Lucia has been the Gophers coach since 1999. Athletic Director Joel Maturi told Sports Headliners there have been a lot of factors impacting this season including injuries, goal tending and the coach’s illness. “I think this is the most frustrating (season),” Maturi said.
Maturi also mentioned the program needs to “regroup.” The opportunity starts tonight.