gophers/ncaa

Where are all the Lucia haters now?

Winning when we should is a start Donnie. Beat the suzies this weekend!!

"Where are all the Lucia haters now?" - Oh, they're still out there, probably muttering under their breath about the Gophs 'soft' schedule so far; or how they won't start believing the Gophs are legit until they sweep the next team on the schedule, and then the next team, and then the next team... well you get the idea. Or else they're more inclined to give the lion's share of the credit to assistant coach Guentzel, who while working mainly with the D-men, obviously is the reason why players like Rau, Haula, Bjugstad, and Hansen are having such great offensive seasons so far (yes, that's a wee bit of sarcasm). Just wait, the minute the Gophs lose another game, they'll be back in full force.

I wonder if they can beat Tech?

Not a Lucia hater, but Firefly hit a key point, Guentzel has made a difference. He works with the D but I believe he also works with the special teams too. The ones that are scoring. If you get to a game watch how he is always interacting with the players. He is teaching all of the time and the difference is showing on the ice. Go Gophers!

The biggest difference is better players, lets face facts. The Gophers are younger but they are also faster and bigger and there is now a noticeable physical element to their game both up front and on the blue line.

It is apparent that Lucia and Guentzel work well together, why do you think he wanted him back? Guentzel does a great job with the young defensemen and whether you know it or not they are part of the success of the PP and PK. This is a young team who will get better the more they play. Go Gophs!!!!

Good coach,then bad coach and now back to good coach. Maybe Lucia is a good coach again because he has more team players than "I" players.

I think Lucia is right, these guys work hard because they want to get better. And there's no I in We. You can't coach attitude and desire. I'll take an unselfish player with good work ethic, in practice and on every shift, who has less talent, than someone with high-end talent with a bad attitude. Fortunately, we have some high-end players with good attitudes. Bring on the Fighting Sue's. It's always fun to watch them march to the penalty box.

I've watched every Sioux game this year. I've also watched every Gophers game. The teams look complete opposites from every other season. Missing from the Sioux this year is scoring depth, solid goaltending, and some nastiness. The Gophers seem to have all those qualities this year. Sioux fans, keep telling yourselves that it's early in the season. When the Gophers sweep this weekend I predict we won't hear from you on Saturday and Sunday.