St. Cloud State head coach Bob Motzko is currently in his seventh season with the Huskies.

Although he and Minnesota head coach Don Lucia will be on opposite benches this weekend, Lucia said they have developed a close-knit relationship.

âÄúI was asked before, âÄòDo you enjoy beating a friend?âÄô and the answer is, âÄòNo, you really donâÄôt,âÄôâÄù Lucia said. âÄúI know how hard he works and we talk on a weekly basis.âÄù

Motzko was an assistant coach under Lucia from 2001-05 and was part of the GophersâÄô staff when the team captured the NCAA Division I National Championship in 2002 and 2003.

âÄúHe was a big part of our run here when we won our titles and he did an outstanding job,âÄù Lucia said.

Motzko accepted the St. Cloud State head coaching job in 2005 and led the team to a 22-16-4 overall record in his first season.

âÄúIâÄôm happy that heâÄôs there,âÄù Lucia said. âÄúIâÄôm happy that he had the opportunity to become a head coach.

âÄúHeâÄôs done a great job and he will continue to do a great job,âÄù Lucia said. âÄúWe just donâÄôt want them to do a great job this weekend.âÄù

Motzko was also an assistant under legendary head coach Herb Brooks when he coached at SCSU in 1987.