Since that first meeting between the University of Minnesota and Notre Dame on Jan. 8, 2013, the Lucia vs. Lucia Gophers-Fighting Irish showdown has become old hat for Gophers coach Don Lucia and his youngest child, Mario.
This weekend will be the sixth and seventh time Mario has faced off against his dad, who has a 4-1 record against his son and his alma mater. But it will also be the last as Mario Lucia, a Wild 2011 second-round pick, will graduate with a degree in business management and plans to sign with the Wild this spring.
"As usual, I want us to win and him to play well," Don Lucia said, laughing, before the Gophers play Friday and Saturday in South Bend, Ind. "I don't think it's as big a deal since we've been through it. The nerves and anxieties and how it's going to work with him and me and the family, that's worn off and now it's just become almost like another game."
Don Lucia will get one final up-close view of Mario this weekend. The benches are on opposite sides at Compton Family Ice Arena, so Lucia, a left wing, will skate up and down the ice on his dad's side.
Lucia has scored two goals and five assists in six games for the 3-1-2 Irish. Last season, Lucia tied for 13th in the nation with a team-high 21 goals. Instead of signing with the Wild, Lucia decided to return for his senior year because he was 15 credits from graduating.
"That's why you go to school," Don Lucia said. "You go to school to develop physically, mature, grow and get your degree. The Wild were terrific how they handled it, and Mario made the difficult decision. But I'm glad he went back because now he can get his degree, hopefully have a good run this spring, and then get some games in the American League and get ready for camp next fall."
And Lucia reiterated that Mario has no aspirations to pull a "Mike Reilly" and become a free agent.
"There has been zero discussion about anything else [other than signing with the Wild," Don Lucia said.