First-year Minnesota men’s hockey coach Don Lucia woke up in the early hours of Wednesday morning. Just days away from the season opener at Maine on Saturday, Lucia had something important on his mind: Who would be playing for the Gophers?
While Lucia and his staff finalized the roster, they stress that the team isn’t their final product. Priority goes to seniors on this road trip to have a chance to prove themselves and have a strong season.
Finalizing who is on the roster is just the first step for the Gophers.
“Now we’re going to have to play our way into positions and play our way out of positions,” Lucia said.
The challenge at Maine will be two-fold. While the talent will be tested on the ice, the team’s ability to handle pressure will come under fire all weekend.
Not only is it homecoming weekend for 1999 NCAA Champion Maine, but on Saturday night the Bears raise the championship banner.
Nearly 6,000 Bears backers are expected to be in attendance at Alfond Arena for both games. On Saturday, Lucia will not only learn more about each Gophers’ skill level, but also about their ability to perform under pressure.
“It will be a hostile environment,” Lucia said. “There isn’t a ticket to be had.”
Maine compiled a 31-6-4 record last season on its way to earning the national title. Sixteen letterwinners return to skate this season under the direction of Bears coach Shawn Walsh.
Nine returning forwards stock the hockey powerhouse. Maine’s offensive attack is led by the troublesome tandem of senior Cory Larose and junior Dan Kerluke.
Larose was Maine’s second-leading scorer last season and finished with 52 points from 21 goals and 31 assists. Graduated forward Steve Kariya led the team with 65 points.
Kerluke is Maine’s top returning goal scorer. The team’s sharpshooter netted 23 goals last season.
Despite losing last year’s starting goaltender in Alfie Michaud, the Bears are solid between the pipes. Sophomore Mike Morrison compiled a 3-0-1 record last season through 11 games.
Facing a talent-rich team like the Bears may not be such a bad thing for Minnesota. Some say the tough schedule — which includes two games with North Dakota next weekend — will only help.
“We’re going to be a better hockey team after this month than a team that would have played lesser opponents,” Gophers co-captain Dylan Mills said.
History says the matchup is an even one. The all-time series is tied at 8-8-0, but Maine has dominated the most recent games — the Bears have claimed six of the last seven meetings. If that wasn’t enough, the Gophers are 2-6-0 at Maine.
But Lucia doesn’t need to hear any negative statistics — he has enough on his mind.
Like figuring out who to skate.
“We think we took the right players, but time will tell,” Lucia said. “Now you worry when the puck drops if they’ll forget everything we’ve taught.”

Sarah Mitchell covers men’s hockey and welcomes comments at [email protected]