FINAL FIVE

At Xcel Energy Center, St. Paul TV: FSN

Thursday's quarterfinals

Bemidji State (14-17-5) vs. UMD (22-9-6), 3:37 p.m.

Beavers at a glance: Coach Tom Serratore said senior center Matt Read (25 goals, 13 assists, 34 points) might be the WCHA's best player. Along with Read, Jordan George (16-18 -- 34) and Ian Lowe (12-15--27) make up one of the conference's best lines. "As those guys go, we go," Serratore said. ... Goalie Dan Bakala has made 40 or more saves the past three games.

Bulldogs at a glance: UMD beat St. Cloud State 3-2 on Saturday in three overtimes to advance to this tournament. ... The Bulldogs' strength is also their top line, the highest scoring in the nation. Mike Connolly (25-23--48) and Jack Connolly (15-39--54) were both first team all-WCHA picks at forward.

Alaska Anchorage (16-17-3) vs. Colo. Coll. (21-17-3), 7:07 p.m.

Seawolves at a glance: Walk-on freshman goalie Chris Kamal, who beat the Gophers 4-3 and 2-0 last weekend, is 8-1-0 in his past nine starts. His hot streak began with UAA's 1-0 victory over the Gophers on Jan. 29. ... UAA made its first Final Five trip in 2004; this is the Seawolves' second in 18 years.

Tigers at a glance: Colorado College is on the NCAA at-large bid bubble, meaning a loss might mean its season is over. ... Tigers are 2-3 against Seawolves this season. ... Stephen Schultz (15-25--40) and Tyler Johnson (20-17--37), two senior forwards, and freshman forward Jaden Schwartz (15-22--37) provide a lot of offensive firepower.

Friday's semifinals

BSU/UMD winner vs. Denver (23-10-5), 2:07 p.m.

UAA/CC winner vs. North Dakota (28-8-3), 7:07 p.m.

Saturday's championship: Friday's winners, 7:07 p.m.

ROMAN AUGUSTOVIZ