LARSON FILLS IN FOR BJUGEY

I stopped by for the second half of men's hockey practice on Tuesday because I was in the neighborhood. For real. I had some interviews with the women's hockey team scheduled at Ridder Arena.

But over at Mariucci, the first thing I looked for was the injured players. Were they on the ice?

The center on the top line looked different. On closer look, it was the other Nick playing that position, Nick Larson, not Nick Bjugstad. I don't know if Bjugey was at the start of practice and left or not there at all. But I didn't see him.

Instead Larson, who has been out since mid-January with a broken wrist, was centering Zach Budish and Kyle Rau. Larson was moving well and he is a player who can play either center or wing. Coaches like that versatility.

Bjugstad was injured in the second period of the Gophers' 3-2 victory over Nebraska Omaha on Saturday. He was crushed against the boards by one of UNO's big defensemen. At the time, he did not look hurt and even played on the ensuing power play.

But he did not play in the third period at all. Gophers coach Don Lucia has not disclosed what Bjugstad's injury is. But on KFAN on Tuesday morning he did say Bjugey was making progress, was going to practice that day, and he was hopeful Bjugey would play this weekend against Wisconsin.

Another injured Gopher is defenseman Ben Marshall. He sat out last weekend's UNO series. He did skate on Tuesday, but was wearing a white jersey with a big red cross. That tells other players not to hit him. He, like Larson, seemed to be moving well.

The other lines were nearly the same as usual during Tuesday's practice:

2nd line/ Sam Warning-Erik Haula-Jake Hansen ... Hansen might show more enthusiasm when he scores a goal in practice than anyone else

3rd line/ Nate Condon-Taylor Matson-Seth Ambroz ... Ambroz moves up from the fourth line last Saturday

4th line/ Tom Serratore-Travis Boyd-Nico Sacchetti ... Boyd filled in for Bjugstad on the power play in the third period last Saturday

5th line/ Joey Miller-Jared Larson-Christian Isackson ... Jared Larson is red-shirting, the other two have played sparingly this season

BANNER WATCHING

There are 12 maroon banners hanging on one rafter at Mariucci, each symbolizes a season during which the Gophers won the regular-season WCHA title and subsequently were presented the MacNaughton Cup.

Looks like there is a lot of room for one more. The first-place Gophers hold a two-point lead over Minnesota Duluth with two conference games left to play.

On Friday, if the Gophers win over Wisconsin, they clinch at least a share of the WCHA title.

If the Gophers lose to Wisconsin, and UMD loses to St. Cloud State, the Gophers also clinch at least a title share.

If the Gophers win and UMD loses, the Gophers clinch an outright title.

Of course, there is a scenario in which the Bulldogs finish first. If the Gophers lose both games and UMD sweeps its series and get at least three points with a win and a tie, than UMD is the outright champion.

The MacNaughton Cup will be at Mariucci this weekend. The 'U', if at wins at least a share of the title, will decide when the awards ceremony will happen.

My guess is, it won't be Friday, unless the Gophers clinch the title outright and the 'U' knows the outcome of the UMD game before all the fans start leaving. That's a lot of ifs.

A more likely scenario, is an award presentation after Saturday's game if the Gophers either clinch an outright title or a share of it.