While most pro and college sports teams in the Twin Cities market are struggling to various degrees, one that is not is the Gophers hockey team. Don Lucia's men are 7-1 and rated No. 5 in both major national polls.

There are plenty of questions surrounding them:

1. Are they for real? They haven't played the toughest schedule yet.

2. Can they keep doing what they are doing -- they have the nation's best power play and have scored at least one goal in 24 of 25 periods.

3. The past two seasons, the Gophers have not had a 20-goal scorer. This year they could have several? What's changed?

4. Who will the Gophers sign next week?

5. Will the Sioux-Gophers series continue after next season?

6. Does it look like a good decision to give Don Lucia an extension now?

OK, those are just a few to start you thinking. ... Hopefully we can provide a few answers starting at high noon.