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WCHA Final Face-Off Preview

Conference title is on the line this weekend in Grand Forks.

Two-time WCHA Player of the Year Hanna Brandt and the Gophers must get past a stingy Bemidji State team if the want to advance to this weekend's WCHA Final Faceoff title game on Sunday at Ralph Engelstad Arena in Grand Forks, N.D. (MHM Photo / Brent Cizek)

Conference title is on the line this weekend in Grand Forks

With the quarterfinal round now complete, the WCHA’s top teams will meet in Grand Forks, N.D. this weekend for the 2015 WCHA Final Face-Off. Saturday’s semifinal games will see top-seeded Minnesota play fifth-seed Bemidji State, and second-seed Wisconsin take on host and third-seed North Dakota. All four are here for a reason and will aim to build on their successes this season and capture the championship on Sunday.

Here’s a closer look at each of the four teams and why they might win it.

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Semifinal Match-Up: Minnesota vs. Bemidji State

The Beavers have played the Gophers tightly this year, with a win and a tie back in November and two close losses on the last weekend of regular-season play. Minnesota needs to create offense and connect on plays even against BSU’s tough defense. Production on the power play would also help the Gophers win the special-teams battle. For Bemidji State, the key will be breaking upMinnesota’s chances from in tight, and making sure they get shots off when they create chances of their own.

Semifinal Match-Up: Wisconsin vs. North Dakota

UND has yet to beat Wisconsin this season, but has looked much better since the last time these two faced off back in December. If the Badgers can stick to their guns and control play, they should dominate possession and give up few quality chances to North Dakota. For UND, the key will be breaking up that possession and forcing the Badgers to chase and regroup as often as possible.

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Gabriella is now in her third season of covering NCAA and international women's hockey for The Hockey Writers. She is the founding editor of At Even Strength, a website dedicated to providing full-time coverage and analysis of women's hockey. She is currently working towards a degree in Communication at the University of North Dakota, and is also interning with UND Athletic Media Relations. She can be reached on Twitter (@gabfun)

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