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.
