- Entering this weekendâÄôs series with Colorado College, the fourth-ranked Gophers (16-8-1, 12-4-0 WCHA) will be without senior forward Nick Larson.
Larson broke his wrist last Saturday against North Dakota and underwent surgery Tuesday.
âÄúIt went well,âÄù head coach Don Lucia said of the surgery. âÄúThere was no ligament damage or anything like that âĦ so he should be back before the year is over.
âÄúUsually these things take four to six weeks âÄî somewhere in that time frame. WeâÄôre probably looking like towards the end of February, and a month from now weâÄôll get a better idea.âÄù
Larson joined forces with Tom Serratore and Travis Boyd on the GophersâÄô fourth line. He had four points through 21 games this season.
âÄúItâÄôs unfortunate to have him out for now, but when we get him back, itâÄôll really help for sure,âÄù Serratore said. âÄúItâÄôs all part of hockey and all part of getting through it. WeâÄôre just going to have to figure it out.âÄù
Minnesota has spent this week looking for a short-term replacement for Larson.
Lucia said he wonâÄôt make any decisions until after ThursdayâÄôs practice.
âÄúWe have 14 forwards available and theyâÄôre going to battle it out this week,âÄù Lucia said. âÄúTheir play this week will determine where they are in the lineup âÄî or if theyâÄôre in the lineup.âÄù
- Minnesota associate head coach Mike Guentzel will coach against his son this weekend when the Gophers take on No. 11 Colorado College (13-8-1, 10-6-0 WCHA) at Mariucci Arena.
âÄúI think since I took the job back here in July, weâÄôve talked about it a lot âĦ and now itâÄôs here within 24 hours,âÄù Guentzel said. âÄúHeâÄôs going to be a number this week âÄî not a name.âÄù
Gabe Guentzel is a senior defenseman for the Tigers and has 17 points on the season.
Mike Guentzel was an assistant coach at Colorado College when his son was a freshman, but since then has already faced his son as a member of the opposing bench. He was an assistant coach at Nebraska-Omaha last season.
Before engaging in one of the most important series to date, Guentzel will use Thursday to offer some Minnesota hospitality.
âÄúWeâÄôll be feeding the [Colorado College] team tomorrow at our house and getting them ready to come into our rink on Friday and Saturday and play a good college hockey series,âÄù Guentzel said.
