Is Mariucci ice too big for the Gophers?

Mariucci Arena has an Olympic-size ice sheet, but the Gophers are not alone in having a big rink.

Here's a look at other WCHA rink sizes:

Olympic size

Gophers, Mariucci Arena, 200x100

Alaska Anchorage, Sullivan Arena, 200x100

Colorado College, World Arena, 200x100

Minnesota State Mankato, 200x100

Wisconsin, 200x97 ... OK, it is less wide by 3 feet, not sure that makes much difference

Smaller rinks

Denver, Magness Arena, 200x85

Michigan Tech, MacInnes Student Center, 200x85

UMD, DECC, 190x85 ... new rink opens Dec. 31, 2010 and is a little bigger, 200x85

So currently, Olympic-size rinks outnumber smaller rinks in the WCHA 6-4. What will the addition of Bemidji State and Nebraska-Omaha do to those numbers?

The Bemidji Regional Events Center will be 200x85 just as the John Glas Fieldhouse is. The Qwest Center in Omaha in 200x85, too.

So that cuts the Olympic-size rink advantage from 6-4 to a 6-6 tie 6-6.

Why is this on my mind. An e-mailer sent me this note after my Sunday story a week and a half ago entitled, "What's wrong with the Gophers?"

MAYBE IT'S THE RINK? -- my title

They simply have to skate around their opponents at home and then realize on the road or in the NCAA that they have to skate through their opponents because the ice is smaller.

The Gophers will NEVER play a National Championship semi final or final game on an Olympic-sized rink, so why would they have built that rink that size? They will always play in AHL or NHL buildings that are 200x85 in the NCAA's.

Foolish decision I would say!

Do you think this plays any role in your discussion from Sunday's article?

C.J. (this person only provided full first name, so I have used only his initials.)

ROMAN SAYS

Mariucci Arena opened in 1993-94 and since then, the Gophers have lost in the semifinals of three Frozen Fours (1994, '95, 2005), and won two Frozen Fours (2002, '03).

I haven't heard anybody complain about the size of the rink at Mariucci in my 2-1/2 seasons covering the team. When the Gophers have a road series coming up at a smaller rink, they often practice on the smaller ice sheet at Ridder.

The complaints I have heard, though, is that the team is not physical enough. The Gophers at times have been manhandled by teams such as North Dakota and Minnesota State Mankato.

So CJ is right when he suggests this team relies on finesse too much. The coaches have to start recruiting a few more players who will throw their body around, be excited to block shots, knock forwards down.

Maybe the large ice sheet had some influence on the type of players Lucia tried to sign, but after 10-1/2 seasons, he should have figured out what works for the U and what doesn't.

Lucia had a nice run in the early years of this decade, but this season could go either way ... up or down.

LUCIA'S 11-YEAR RUN

WCHA finish Postseason comments

2000-01 3rd lost in first region game 18-8-2, 27 wins overall

2001-02 3rd NCAA champs 18-7-3, 32 wins, won 11 of last 12 games

2002-03 2nd Final Five, NCAA champs 15-6-7, 28 wins, 10-0-1 finish

2003-04 4th Final Five champs, lost in region final 15-12-1, 27 wins, lost to UMD 3-1 in last game

2004-05 3rd lost in Frozen Four semis 17-10-1, 28 wins, eliminated by NoDak 4-2

2006-07 1st Final Five champs, lost in region final 18-7-3, North Dakota beat U 3-2 OT

2007-08 7th lost in first region game 9-12-7, but 19-17-9 overall

2008-09 5th missed NCAAs 12-11-5, lost to UMD in first Final Five game

2009-10 7th out of NCAA contention as of now 6-7-1, 8-9-1 ... five of next six games at home

So in his first 10 years, Lucia's teams have earned 10 banners/trophies:

* three Broadmoor Trophies (Final Five titles)

* three Frozen Four trips (region titles)