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Buzzmaster

  (1:14 PM)

Hello! We'll be talking college hockey here at 1:30 ET! Then stick around for former Boston Red Sox player Todd Walker at 2 ET and Kirk Herbstreit at 3 ET!

Mike Eidelbes

  (1:29 PM)

Good afternoon and welcome to another afternoon of college hockey chat on The Show!

Mike Eidelbes

  (1:30 PM)

We're pleased to be joined by Luke Stauffacher of Minnesota-Duluth. The Bulldogs are 5-0-1 thus far and are rated first in this week's Inside College Hockey Power Rankings.

Luke Stauffacher

  (1:31 PM)

I'm here and ready for your questions!

Brandon (Grand Forks, ND)

Since Coach Sandelin took over, you guys have really improved your special teams play. As exciting as it is to watch a power play, I enjoy watching you guys kill penalties. With the new "emphasis" on obstruction this year, how much time do you guys spend in practice working on special teams play? More than in previous years? Thanks....Go Bulldogs!!!

Luke Stauffacher

  (1:32 PM)

I think we might spend a little bit more because it's early in the season and we're trying to get new guys involved. We've always spent quite a bit of time on it in years past. But in games, it's definitely been an emphasis.

Derek (Boston)

Luke, you guys have some crazy fans I met last year in Boston. How much do they help you guys over the course of a season?

Luke Stauffacher

  (1:35 PM)

I think our fan base is a big factor, especially at home. The opening weekend, we sold out both nights. I don't think we've sold out opening night in 20 years. It makes it a lot more exciting to play at the DECC. And on the road, you know you've got a few people out there rooting for you. It's gotten better every year.

Howie (Denver)

Outside of Duluth, where is your favorite place to play?

Luke Stauffacher

  (1:36 PM)

I like playing at North Dakota. Between that and the Exel Center at the WCHA Final Five, it makes you feel like you're playing in an NHL atmosphere. But Denver is my favorite road trip. We go there in January and we can wear shorts compared to Duluth, where it's -30.

Steve (Wakefield, MA)

Who are you skating with these days, and who is a guy that you feel makes you a better player when you're on his line?

Luke Stauffacher

  (1:38 PM)

The last 2-3 games, I've been playing with Matt McKnight and Brett Hammond. I've played with Brett a fair amount of my career. One guy I've played with in the past that makes pretty much anyone better is Tim Stapleton. He draws so much attention and makes plays...I get so many chances when he's out there with me.

Bill (Madison, WIS)

Is there an NHL player who you pattern your game after?

Luke Stauffacher

  (1:40 PM)

He doesn't play anymore, but I've always liked Tony Granato. That's the style I like to play. In college, Tony was a 40-goal scorer. That's not me. But in the pros he was an agitator and got his nose in there. That's how I've tried to play since I was in juniors.

Ron (McGregor, MN)

You were 20 minutes from the NCAA title game last year. Do you try to forget the Denver comback at the Frozen Four, or do you use it as inspiration this year?

Luke Stauffacher

  (1:42 PM)

A little of both. It's something you don't want to dwell on, and it's a new year so you don't want to get bummed out because you didn't make it. On the other hand, we got a little experience and know how exciting it is to play in those games. We know we have to work hard in order to get back there.

Judd (Flag Island, MN)

Do you and your brother have any kind of wager when the Bulldogs play Wisconsin?

Luke Stauffacher

  (1:44 PM)

Right now, my brother is a Bulldog fan. He had his time at Wisconsin and still goes to games down there. As long as I'm here, he roots for me. But for football and basketball and stuff, he roots for the Badgers. But if I don't play well, he lets me know about it.

Guerin fan (Dallas)

How good of a pro do you think Junior Lessard will be?

Luke Stauffacher

  (1:45 PM)

All of us up here hope he does real well. We've talked to him quite a bit since he's been down there. But it's probably too early to tell. He started out slow in juniors and in college, but as he got more playing time he played better. I wouldn't be surprised if he had the same trend in Dallas.

Dan (Fairfax, VA)

Luke, we all got a good look at Isaac last year ... but what can you tell us about your other goalie, Josh Johnson?

Luke Stauffacher

  (1:48 PM)

Josh has played well for us when he's had the chance. I think he only had one loss last year and played well at the end of the year. This season, he's been great. I think he's got some of the best numbers in the country. He and Isaac are splitting time and playing real well. I see Josh continuing to get better and becoming a big-time goalie as his career progresses.

Derek (minneapolis)

is it dissapointing not facing Minnesota at home this year? I know thats my favorite home series of the year. I've got tickets for the games in Mariucci, that lifeless warehouse of a barn.

Luke Stauffacher

  (1:50 PM)

I think we'd all like to see them come to the DECC...our fans especially. It's a pretty good rivalry, especially after last year when we were 5-1 against them and played them in the Final Five and the NCAA Tournament. It's disappointing being two hours away from them and not being able to play them four times.

Albert (Evergreen, CO)

Congrats on being the top-ranked team in the nation. Do the players pay attention to that stuff, or is it viewed as a distraction?

Luke Stauffacher

  (1:52 PM)

It's something that we're proud to have, and it's a nice little thing. But we all know it doesn't mean anything. They don't give out awards for being ranked first in October. Our goal is to continue winning games on the weekends and let everything else take care of itself.

Troy @ tDECC

What is it like having all these freshmen come in and product like they have been?

Luke Stauffacher

  (1:53 PM)

It shows where we're going as a program for our coaches to be able to get five guys who can play right away on a veteran team. Those guys have contributed and it bodes well for the future of the program, not to mention right now.

Hockey Fan (UMD - Duluth, MN)

Hey Stauff! I was reading earlier in the year that Sandelin thought that Peluso could score 40+ points this year, along with Schwabe. What do you think of this? Do you think that Curry could get that many points too? Anyone else? Maybe you? :)

Luke Stauffacher

  (1:56 PM)

I definitely think the two guys playing with Schwabe will score a lot of points, especially if they're with him on the power play. Tyler Brosz and Junior did pretty well with him last year. Stapleton has had 40 points the last two years, so I think he'll get there again. When you look at the depth of our team, we have a lot of guys who could get to that point...guys like T.J. Caig or Justin Williams.

Todd (Fellow Bulldog)

Luke, when is Tyler Brosz coming back?

Luke Stauffacher

  (1:58 PM)

His shoulder is good to go. He was going to be back this weekend against Vermont, but he started skating with us and hurt his groin a little bit. I think he'll be back for the Anchorage series, but it's kind of a week-to-week thing. Hopefully, he'll be back pretty soon...he's one of our top players.

Mike Eidelbes

  (1:58 PM)

We've got time for one more question.

Dean (New Orleans)

It must be a great honor having your coach named to head the World Junior team, but is there any concern that Sandelin's time away from Duluth at mid-season might be a distraction?

Luke Stauffacher

  (2:00 PM)

I don't think we're worried about that at all. I think he's only going to miss a couple practices. I don't think he'll miss a beat. If anything, he might learn something from being around those top-end players and some of the best coaches around.

Luke Stauffacher

  (2:01 PM)

I've got to run...but thanks for the questions. They were terrific.

Mike Eidelbes

  (2:01 PM)

That's our time for the week...thanks to Luke for stopping by. Make sure you join us again next Thursday for more college hockey talk on The Show!