It's become tradition for the Gophers to return from winter break without a couple of its top players.
Sophomore defenseman Brady Skjei and freshman forward Hudson Fasching are this year's standouts competing in the World Junior Championships. There's a new twist this season, though. Gophers coach Don Lucia is also with the U.S. National Junior Team.
The Gophers, however, aren't worried about who is missing. Acting head coach Mike Guentzel said the Gophers' depth should allow them to operate without a hitch. It will also allow for others to get more ice time.
"Just try to keep it on the tracks this week. Hopefully we can keep playing," Guentzel said. "We're trying to implement some new guys in new spots. Obviously Brady [Skjei] and Hudson [Fasching] being gone creates some new opportunities for other guys. … Hopefully we can develop some young guys' confidence coming out of the break. "
Seth Ambroz will move into Fasching's spot on the first line. On defense, Ryan Reilly fills the sixth spot with Skjei absent and Jake Parenteau still recovering from a broken leg. Reilly's one appearance this season was at forward.
Defenseman Mike Reilly said the defense will be fine rotating five men. They've succeeded in similar situations earlier in the season.
The offense gets senior forward Tom Serratore back after his missed nearly a month with a lower-body injury. Vinni Lettieri is also in the lineup after missing the last series of the season against Michigan State.
With USA's early exit from the International Ice Hockey Federation World Championships, the players returned to the United States late Friday night. There is an outside chance that Don Lucia returns to coach the Gophers and Skjei and Fasching return to the ice on Saturday.
