2013 WCHA Final Five: 2 games Thursday kick off the Conference Tournament

The WCHA Final Five is one of the major events of college hockey as fans of the 12 different schools in the conference get together in St. Paul, Minnesota as an end of the year tradition.

Six teams - St. Cloud State, Minnesota, North Dakota, Wisconsin, Minnesota State and Colorado College - won their first round series and advance to the Xcel Energy Center. Each is working for a chance to win the Broadmoor Trophy Saturday night and an automatic berth to the NCAA Tournament. While the Huskies and Gophers receive first round byes, the other four teams play Thursday.

All WCHA Final Five games will be broadcast on Fox Sports North and Fox College Sports.

Information on the two Thursday games are below, including team-specific previews.

No. 4 Wisconsin (19-12-7) vs. No. 5 Minnesota State (24-12-3)

2:07 p.m. CT Thursday - Winner faces St. Cloud State
Season series: Tied 2-2 (road team swept each series)

Minnesota State preview: Returning to the Final Five for the first time in 10 years.

Wisconsin preview: In the hunt for an at-large bid.

No. 3 North Dakota (21-11-7) vs. No 6 Colorado College (16-18-5)

7:07 p.m. Thursday - Winner faces Minnesota
Season series: Tied 2-2 (two splits)

North Dakota preview: Three-time defending Broadmoor champs are back once again

Colorado College preview: Playing the underdog role

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