Apple Valley’s Kris Goodman, left, crossed sticks Tuesday with Mario Lucia of Wayzata at the goal. Lucia scored two goals and had two assists in the 5-3 win. David Brewster, Star Tribune
Mario Lucia
Wayzata's Mario Lucia had incentive to shine Tuesday.
His father, Gophers men's hockey coach Don Lucia, and older brother Tony, a former Gophers captain, were at Hayes Arena in Apple Valley.
"I guess I was trying to impress them a little," Mario said.
Job well done.
Lucia had a hand in the top-ranked Trojans' first four goals in a 5-3 victory against No. 6 Apple Valley. Playing its fourth game this season against an opponent ranked in the top 10, Wayzata improved to 7-0.
Lucia set up the Trojans' first goal with masterful stick handling and a pass for teammate Tony Cameranesi to bury at 6:46 of the first period.
Apple Valley answered on a goal from Tate Erickson later in the period, then went ahead 2-1 when Kris Goodman scored just 1:08 into the second period.
"You could see they were starting to take control," Wayzata coach Carl Davis said of Apple Valley (3-2). "But it was nice to see us respond."
Two goals from Lucia just 47 seconds apart gave Wayzata a 3-2 lead late in the second period. The Trojans have outscored opponents by a combined 28-6 in the first two periods this season.
"It's always important to try to win the first period, build momentum and then keep your foot on the pedal," Lucia said.
A power-play goal from Marc Richards just 25 seconds into the third period gave Wayzata a 4-2 lead. But Apple Valley came back with Erickson's second goal of the game 49 seconds later.
The Trojans restored the two-goal advantage on Kage Tiller's power-play goal.
Apple Valley's standout forwards A.J. Michaelson (no points) and Hudson Fasching (two assists) were held in check.