MINNESOTA DULUTH VS. NOTRE DAME

First semifinal, 4 p.m. Thursday, ESPN2

BULLDOGS

By the numbers: 24-10-6 overall, 15-8-5 WCHA (fourth). National ranking: No. 3 by USA Today. Power-play pct.: 22.5 (46-204). Penalty-kill pct.: 81.8 (157-192). Goals/game: 3.40. Goals against/game: 2.58.

Coach: Scott Sandelin, 11th year, 190-200-52

Key forwards: Mike Connolly (27 goals, 26 assists, 53 points), Jack Connolly (17-41--58) and Justin Fontaine (22-33--55). They play on Bulldogs' top line and are the second-, third- and fourth-leading scorers in the WCHA.

On defense: Freshman Justin Faulk (8-22--30) made the WCHA all-rookie team. Senior captain Mike Montgomery, Faulk's partner, is a steady, stay-at-home blue-liner.

In goal: Junior Kenny Reiter has started every postseason game. He has a 2.29 goals-against average and a .914 save percentage.

Frozen Four history: Fourth trip, others in 1984, '85 and 2004. UMD lost to Bowling Green 5-4 in four overtimes in 1984 championship game.

Fighting Irish

By the numbers: 25-13-5 overall, 18-7-3 CCHA (second). National ranking: No. 4. Power-play pct.: 16.3 (33-203). Penalty-kill pct.: 81.7 (152-186). Goals/game: 3.44. Goals against/game: 2.72.

Coach: Jeff Jackson, sixth year, 141-78-27; 12-year career, 323-130-52.

Key forwards: Freshmen T.J. Tynan (22-31--53) and Anders Lee (24-20--44) and senior Calle Ridderwall (15-9--24), the team's third-leading goal-scorer.

On defense: Junior Sean Lorenz (4-9--13) was named the CCHA's top defensive defenseman. Sophomore Sam Calabrese (6-12--18) led the Irish blue-liners in points.

In goal: Sophomore Mike Johnson is 20-9-4 with a 2.57 GAA and a .906 save percentage.

Frozen Four history: Second trip. In 2008, the Irish beat Michigan 5-4 in overtime, then lost to Boston College 4-1 in the championship game.

ROMAN

AUGUSTOVIZ