Postgame: Injuries continue to pile up for resilient Gophers + video

Fast start carries Gophers past Notre Dame to complete split series sweep, read Sunday's game story.

Mariucci Arena went silent in the second period when Vinni Lettieri dropped to the ice. The Gophers sophomore forward was struck in the helmet with a puck when he lowered his body to block a shot during a Notre Dame power play.

Lettieri was attended to on the ice for several minutes and had to be helped off the ice. He wouldn't return to the game and will be under close observation for any lingering effects during the week.

"I don't know if he's fine, but he didn't get cut or anything," Gophers coach Don Lucia said. "But obviously when you take one in the head like that you want to be cautious this day and age. So we'll see how he is. We'll have to tomorrow off and see how he is on Tuesday.

"Ya know, you start to get some injuries other guys need to start to step up."

The Gophers were already without a couple veteran players this weekend. Lower-body injuries will keep forward Travis Boyd and defenseman Brady Skjei sidelined at least until Thanksgiving.

Senior forward Kyle Rau was nursing an upper-body injury throughout the week and sophomore defenseman Michael Brodzinski took a puck off the wrist on Sunday.

• The line of Sam Warning, Justin Kloos, Taylor Cammarata continues to work well together. The second line produced 12 points over the weekend with three goals and nine assists. Kloos had three points, Warning four, and Cammarata five after his three-assist effort on Sunday.

• Notre Dame coach Jeff Jackson started Minnesota native Mario Lucia on Sunday with this idea that it could be the junior's final game at Mariucci Arena. Mario, son of Gophers coach Don Lucia, is a Wild prospect with size and skill and is a candidate to leave for the pros after this season

He was held scoreless over the weekend, but is among Notre Dame's scoring leaders with eight goals and two assists. He hit a post in the second period and had several quality scoring chances.

"I started Mario just to give him probably his last chance to play at Mariucci Arena," Jackson said. "I thought he elevated his game in the second period. He's got all kinds of ability, it's just he's got to keep that edge and keep that physical intensity, which he's made improvements on this year. That's why he had been scoring and he had some good chances tonight."

Mario is one of several Minnesotans on Notre Dame's roster. Read my blog on the Irish's success in attracting some of Minnesota's top hockey talent.

Friday replay: Gophers blow by Notre Dame 5-0, Wilcox returns to top form with 9th career shutout, read Friday night's game story and postgame blog, and watch video of coach Don Lucia sophomore forward Taylor Cammarata.

Sunday's postgame video
(To view on mobile devices, click on player's/coach's name)

Gophers junior defenseman Mike Reilly

Gophers sophomore defenseman Michael Brodzinski

Gophers coach Don Lucia