Minnesota Gophers Season Thread: Kangas Kool-Aid For All!

[GopherBigGuy911]

Re: Minnesota Gophers Season Thread: Kangas Kool-Aid For All!

I noticed CC beat UNO last night. They're certainly a different team now than the team the Gophers swept earlier this season. They've won 8/10 games (46 GF!!, 22 GA) recently and have been quietly climbing up the standings. That leaves the Gophers tied for 6th with Wisconsin at .500 to close the first half. Unfortunately Wisconsin's second half SOS is not as tough as the Gophers. CC has the toughest SOS but IF they continue playing well that might not be a factor. Granted anything can happen in WCHA play, but all things considered the Gophers bid for home ice just got statistically a little more challenging. The Gophers are going to need some big wins against top teams or they're on the road for sure.

I have to say CC's 5-2 butt whoopin of UNO was rather impressive last night.

 

[Greyeagle]

Re: Minnesota Gophers Season Thread: Kangas Kool-Aid For All!

Outstanding article in today's Strib about Lucia's health struggles over the past several years. The disease and subsequent treatment were far more harsh on him physically and mentally than Lucia ever let on. The article is currently only available in print version (IMHO it's worth picking up a copy just for the article) but could be on the Strib website later this week.

 

[The Rube]

Re: Minnesota Gophers Season Thread: Kangas Kool-Aid For All!

Outstanding article in today's Strib about Lucia's health struggles over the past several years. The disease and subsequent treatment were far more harsh on him physically and mentally than Lucia ever let on. The article is currently only available in print version (IMHO it's worth picking up a copy just for the article) but could be on the Strib website later this week.

Read that.

1. Shocked that they gave a full page and a half for it.
2. The details of the article were rather eye-opening. tDon is a man's man for what he went through and still did okay at his job (and did okay with his family).

Definitely recommended reading.

 

[HarleyMC]

Re: Minnesota Gophers Season Thread: Kangas Kool-Aid For All!

I have to say CC's 5-2 butt whoopin of UNO was rather impressive last night.

And winning without leading scorer Jaden Schwartz (Canada, WJC) as well. I don't know what they're putting in the water in CC, but we need some of that. They must have run out tonight though, they got blanked 3-0. It should be interesting to see if they cool off for their tough second half schedule.

 

[goldy_331]

Re: Minnesota Gophers Season Thread: Kangas Kool-Aid For All!

Look for Casey Hankinson to do color for the UND series.

They should get his big brother, Ben, in there instead. Ben can be a riot to listen to. Probably won't happen since he's an agent.

 

[Driftryder]

Re: Minnesota Gophers Season Thread: Kangas Kool-Aid For All!

Outstanding article in today's Strib about Lucia's health struggles over the past several years. The disease and subsequent treatment were far more harsh on him physically and mentally than Lucia ever let on. The article is currently only available in print version (IMHO it's worth picking up a copy just for the article) but could be on the Strib website later this week.

I missed it but I sure hope they put it out on the Strib website for all to read and not just subscriber's.

 

[4four4]

Re: Minnesota Gophers Season Thread: Kangas Kool-Aid For All!

They should get his big brother, Ben, in there instead. Ben can be a riot to listen to. Probably won't happen since he's an agent.

If you ever run into him ask if his weight lifting records at EHS are legit? LOL. That guy is a character.

 

[goldy_331]

Re: Minnesota Gophers Season Thread: Kangas Kool-Aid For All!

If you ever run into him ask if his weight lifting records at EHS are legit? LOL. That guy is a character.

Saw him last night at Braemar but didn't talk to him. He was admiring Casey's handiwork on the wall of the West Rink. Go check it out. A mural honoring the 10 State champion teams, very cool.

 

[Koho]

Re: Minnesota Gophers Season Thread: Kangas Kool-Aid For All!

Outstanding article in today's Strib about Lucia's health struggles over the past several years. The disease and subsequent treatment were far more harsh on him physically and mentally than Lucia ever let on. The article is currently only available in print version (IMHO it's worth picking up a copy just for the article) but could be on the Strib website later this week.

So are there any subscribers out there willing to copy and paste the article? I would like to read it, but haven't seen a paper around my town, since seeing this post.

Or maybe Greyeagle could just type it in by hand!? (Between naps, of course.)

 

[thebrain]

Re: Minnesota Gophers Season Thread: Kangas Kool-Aid For All!

So are there any subscribers out there willing to copy and paste the article? I would like to read it, but haven't seen a paper around my town, since seeing this post.

Or maybe Greyeagle could just type it in by hand!? (Between naps, of course.)

I think it's Wednesday they post it to their website for all to read.

 

[4four4]

Re: Minnesota Gophers Season Thread: Kangas Kool-Aid For All!

Saw him last night at Braemar but didn't talk to him. He was admiring Casey's handiwork on the wall of the West Rink. Go check it out. A mural honoring the 10 State champion teams, very cool.

I am going to try to get down there sometime this season.

 

[Greyeagle]

Re: Minnesota Gophers Season Thread: Kangas Kool-Aid For All!

Lucia article from Sunday's Strib.

 

[GopherBigGuy911]

Re: Minnesota Gophers Season Thread: Kangas Kool-Aid For All!

Lucia article from Sunday's Strib.

Ya know what, dealing with a coach with constant roid rage... I am suprised more players didn't jump ship either. Walking around on pins and needles everyday just waiting for your coach to flip a nut would be hard. I am glad Don is feeling better now.

 

[Driftryder]

Re: Minnesota Gophers Season Thread: Kangas Kool-Aid For All!

Lucia article from Sunday's Strib.

Great article. Interesting to hear how tough the treatments were and how it affected everyone including the players. I hope all is well with tDon now.

 

[Koho]

Re: Minnesota Gophers Season Thread: Kangas Kool-Aid For All!

Great article. Interesting to hear how tough the treatments were and how it affected everyone including the players. I hope all is well with tDon now.

I know its been said, but the article does make you wonder if the health was an even bigger factor in the team's disappointing last two years than speculated.

Obviously one read's lots of specualtion on a coach, especially when the team is underperforming. The fact Don didn't jump up and down waving this illness in front of everyone as an excuse, or the way he didn't overreact when people were blaming him for Ambroz not coming in this year or when people were claiming he had told a prospect (Rau?) to skip his Senior year for Juniors tends to support the reports that he is a man of character.

Also, in reading the effects of the steroids on his personality/mood, I wonder if my wife is secretly getting this same steroid treatment?

 

[Driftryder]

Re: Minnesota Gophers Season Thread: Kangas Kool-Aid For All!

I know its been said, but the article does make you wonder if the health was an even bigger factor in the team's disappointing last two years than speculated.

Obviously one read's lots of specualtion on a coach, especially when the team is underperforming. The fact Don didn't jump up and down waving this illness in front of everyone as an excuse, or the way he didn't overreact when people were blaming him for Ambroz not coming in this year or when people were claiming he had told a prospect (Rau?) to skip his Senior year for Juniors tends to support the reports that he is a man of character.

I agree with this and I wonder if he will get even more rope because of what really went on behind the scenes that most people weren't aware of.

Also, in reading the effects of the steroids on his personality/mood, I wonder if my wife is secretly getting this same steroid treatment?

Good stuff! you must spread

 

[Bakunin]

Re: Minnesota Gophers Season Thread: Kangas Kool-Aid For All!

Great article. Interesting to hear how tough the treatments were and how it affected everyone including the players. I hope all is well with tDon now.

That article was a real eye-opener. Between the roid rage and the sleep deprivation, I don't know how the **** he made it through 18 months of that. Hindsight's always 20/20, but I think when it became apparent how severe the impact on him was from the treatments, he should've taken a leave of absence.

 

[4four4]

Re: Minnesota Gophers Season Thread: Kangas Kool-Aid For All!

After reading the article he should have taken a leave of absence and he should be given more rope. Good luck coach Lucia I am glad your health is going the right direction.

 

[HarleyMC]

Re: Minnesota Gophers Season Thread: Kangas Kool-Aid For All!

The article not only sheds new light on Don Lucia's personal and family struggles of the enduring side effects of corticosteriod therapy, but it also reveals how significant a factor it was in physically and psychologically impairing his full effectiveness as a coach for 18+ months.

Full disclosure of the salient and negative physical and affective states of the therapy was most likely withheld to abate excessive speculation and a fan and media frenzy on the status of Lucia's condition, his future and the effectiveness of the Gopher hockey program. Was the strategy effective?

In retrospect, I don't think so. Given Don Lucia's venerable reputation, further disclosure of the effects of the treatment may have resulted in much more empathetic support from the fan base and the college hockey world than the powers that be assumed. It may have somewhat placated the masses calling for Lucia's head.

I agree with this and I wonder if he will get even more rope because of what really went on behind the scenes that most people weren't aware of.

I think it's a significant factor that could realistically buy Lucia more time when the time comes for the AD to evaluate his tenure.

That article was a real eye-opener. Between the roid rage and the sleep deprivation, I don't know how the **** he made it through 18 months of that. Hindsight's always 20/20, but I think when it became apparent how severe the impact on him was from the treatments, he should've taken a leave of absence.

The treatment strategy appears to have been quite severe in Lucia's case given the location of the granulomas or inflamed tissue in the brain membrane. In extreme cases, a condition of this nature can result in seizures and significant paralysis. The steroid "spike" at the outset of a treatment of this nature has a ubiquitous effect on the physical and psychological condition of the client. Based upon the severity of the outcome, a leave of absence should have been mandated.

 

[Slap Shot]

Re: Minnesota Gophers Season Thread: Kangas Kool-Aid For All!

As in many cases, saying he should have stepped aside even temporarily is an opinion made in hindsight. Not only does no one else know what they would have done in his shoes, but it's also not a sure thing that anyone knew when it started just how severely the treatments would impact him. In addition, I think it's folly to assume that had they been more open from the beginning (whether or not he took a break) that calls for his head would be any less severe right now because it wouldn't matter based upon the current state of the program. In fact had he stepped aside something tells me the uphill climb would be much stiffer than had he not taken a break.

Look, I fully believe that regardless of the illness that the program needs a 2nd half turnaround to earn tDon another contract, but unlike some here I don't demonstrate an ulterior motive/belief that nothing can save his job. He will either earn his keep or not, and manufacturing reasons to oust him have no place.