Don Lucia of the Gophers, in his 22nd season as a head coach, has compiled an impressive 524-268-71 record.

But he’s a distant third to the two coaches of the teams the Gophers will play at Mariucci this weekend.

Michigan coach Red Berenson is 652-304-68 in 25 seasons, while Michigan State coach Rick Comley is 743-568-97 in his 36th season.

“They are a couple of wiley veterans, let’s put it that way,” Lucia said. “They’ve been through it before. That’s one of the things that is fun, too. There will be two different styles.

“Michigan [which faces the Gophers on Friday] will get up and down the rink and make it a track meet.

“Michigan State [Saturday’s opponent] plays a little bit closer to the vest,” Lucia said, “a little bit more defensive. So we will have to make that adjustment from Friday to Saturday.”

While Michigan and Michigan State have been two of the top teams in the CCHA almost every season, both are a bit down.

Michigan lost two 30-goal scorers to graduation and two top defensemen the first weekend to a knee injury and a skull fracture.

But the Wolverines, 8-6-0, are still dangerous. “We certainly know we will not play a quicker team than Michigan the rest of the year,” Lucia said. “Michigan always has elite players.

“And what makes Red unique is that most of us coaches were not great players, he was. He was a great college player. Obviously a great NHL player. What a perspective he has. He was one of those players who played in the 1972 Super Series with Russia and Canada. And so, he has seen it all, NHL coach and a longtime college coach. One o the great things about Red is he is a big believer inthe college system and the college player.”

Michigan State is struggling even more, with only four victories and six losses in a row. The Spartans have only scored five goals in their losing streak.

“Michigan State is going through a little bit of what we did a year ago,” Lucia said.

He said MSU had three players leave early. “They have to adjust with a lot of freshmen,” Lucia said.

The Gophers will skate Friday morning “to get the turkey and dressing out of them,” Lucia said.

He said being home is nice at Thanksgiving but he doesn’t mind being on the road either. “Sometimes it seems when we are at home, it seems we are more sluggish on Thanksgiving,” he said. Â

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