Saturday semifinals

2 p.m.: Wisconsin vs. Minnesota Duluth

5 p.m.: Gophers vs. North Dakota

Sunday's championship: Winners play at 2 p.m.

Watch: Saturday, streamed on WCHA.com. Sunday, FSN.

Minnesota (31-3-1): The Gophers won three consecutive WCHA playoff titles before losing to Bemidji State in last year's semifinals. The Hannah Brandt, Amanda Kessel and Sarah Potomak line is potent, but perhaps more critical to the team's recent dominance has been Kelly Pannek's line, with Dani Cameranesi and Kate Schipper.

North Dakota (18-11-5): The No. 8 Fighting Hawks went 1-2-1 vs. the Gophers this year, including a 0-0 overtime tie Feb. 6. Goalie Shelby Amsley-Benzie was a top 10 Kazmaier finalist. Sleepy at times, North Dakota's offense came to life in a 6-1, 6-1 sweep over St. Cloud State last weekend.

Wisconsin (32-3-1): Ann-Renee Desbiens has 18 shutouts this season, breaking former Gophers star Noora Raty's NCAA record. Desbiens keyed the Badgers' sweep over Minnesota in December and reportedly played despite being sick when the Gophers swept Wisconsin 4-0 and 4-3 (OT) last month.

Minnesota Duluth (15-20-1): The Bulldogs stunned then-No. 7 Bemidji State in the quarterfinals 5-1 and 2-1 in overtime. Lara Stalder, a Swiss junior, had two goals and three assists in the series, including Saturday's winner.

JOE CHRISTENSEN