Bruce McLeod, the longtime commissioner of the WCHA, said he hopes Ferris State and the Gophers win in Thursday's semifinals.

The Gophers are a present member of the WCHA, he said, and Ferris State is a future member of the conference. The Bulldogs will leave the CCHA and join the WCHA in 2013-14 when the Gophers leave for the Big Ten Conference.

THE DON SAYS

Coach Don Lucia's thoughts on his players, coaches after the West Regional:

On second line right wing Jake Hansen: He has had a high motor all season long. ... He is not one of the focal points of our offense, but his game has really rounded out this year. He is as good a penalty killer as we have had all season long."

On third line left wing Nate Condon: He's got speed and seems to score big goals. He has been outstanding on the penalty kill. He is a good two-way defensive player as well."

On defenseman Nate Schmidt: He had a breakout year. A guy that we thought had the ability, the talent. He learned what it meant to work this past year, especially this offseason, getting himself iin great shape. He has earned everything he received this year. He is very deserving being a second team all-league player."

On what assistant coach Grant Potulny has added: "He has got the experience, having been through [a Frozen Four with the Gophers]. He works with the forwards on a daily basis, breaking down video and showing them line by line what they can and cannot do."

On goalie coach Justin Johnson: "Justin did a great job with Kent" Patterson the week before the West Regional.

On associate head coach Mike Guentzel: "certainly Mike Guentzel has been terrific all season long in working with the defensemen and penalty kill and has brought that enthusiasm as a great alum into our program again. ... Grant does a lot of the recruiting. He is gone more than anybody. He is kind of the recruiting coordinator. Mike does a lot of the video breakdown.