Minnesota will face North Dakota in the semifinals of the WCHA Final Five on Friday after the UND defeated St. Cloud State 4-1 Thursday. The Gophers and the Sioux have clashed four times this season and the Gophers are 3-1-0 in those matchups. 

UND was led by Brock Nelson's two goals and a 29-save performance by goaltender Aaron Dell Thursday and will enter Friday with momentum. The Sioux have won the WCHA Final Five in back-to-back seasons and are two wins away from a third consecutive conference tournament title.

UND started the season 1-5-0 in the WCHA, but battled back to finish the season with a 16-11-1 record in league play. It's become a signature of the Sioux to start slow before finishing strong with a late-season push. 

Minnesota is the No. 1 seed in the WCHA playoffs will attempt to halt UND's quest for a third straight Broadmoor Trophy Friday night at the Xcel Energy Center.