Ailing Lucia misses game, but U rolls

David Joles, Star Tribune

Minnesota's R.J. Anderson keeps his eye on the puck even while on his back against Brown at Mariucci Arena.

AD Joel Maturi said Don Lucia's illness has not been identified. Gophers assistants capably ran the show in his absence.

By ROMAN AUGUSTOVIZ, Star Tribune

Last update: January 3, 2009 - 12:12 AM

The nature of Gophers men's hockey coach Don Lucia's health problems remained a mystery Friday night.

After not attending any practices this week, Lucia missed his first game in 22 seasons as a head coach.

What is making him ill is unclear, according to Minnesota athletic director Joel Maturi, who discussed Lucia's medical issues between the first and second periods of the Gophers' 6-2 rout of Brown at Mariucci Arena at the Dodge Holiday Classic.

Maturi was unable to offer much insight. He said Lucia called him Monday, saying he was not feeling well. The next day Lucia had his first medical tests, Maturi said, but results have been inconclusive.

"The good news is that nothing serious to this point has been found," Maturi said. "The bad news is Don still doesn't feel well."

So Lucia stayed home Friday night.

"I expect he is probably watching the game and probably going to get on the assistant coaches because it is only 1-0," Maturi said, referring to the score at the first intermission.

The No. 4-rated Gophers (9-3-5) outshot the Bears 17-1 in the opening period. Minnesota's goal was scored by junior center Mike Carman at 7 minutes, 40 seconds.

Lucia, presuming he had FSN on, had to enjoy the second period more. The Gophers outshot the Bears 18-1 and scored three times to take a 4-0 lead. Jay Barriball, Justin Bostrom and Nico Sacchetti scored in a span of about five minutes.

The Gophers' first two goals were especially significant. Carman and Barriball had not played since suffering knee injuries on Nov. 28.

Brown (1-9-2) was much better in the third period, closing within 4-2 before Patrick White scored Minnesota's fifth goal at nine minutes and Joe Miller added an empty-netter with eight seconds left.

"They came back a little bit in the third [period]," Carman said, "but we put our foot down and answered back."

John Hill, in his fourth season as a Gophers assistant, served as the interim head coach. "I talked to Don this afternoon," Hill said. "He said, 'You guys coach your game. The show must go on, and you guys get 'er done.' "

Hill said he was happy for the players; six of them scored a goal, eight others had assists. Only two had two-point games. Bostrom had a goal and an assist; defenseman Kevin Wehrs had two assists.

"They had a good time tonight," Hill said. "They scored some goals. We got some guys back in the lineup, but, for me personally, this is not fun. Not having Don here is not fun. I'm hopeful that he will be in the building [tonight]."

The Gophers will play No. 6 Northeastern, which beat Western Michigan 3-1 in the opening game Friday, tonight for the tournament title.

"Even if he is not feeling up to standing on the bench," Hill said, "just having [Lucia] upstairs would be good."

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