As the final words of the national anthem echo throughout the University of Minnesota's Mariucci Arena in Minneapolis tonight, the spectating masses will be anticipating three periods of college hockey at its finest.

The best-of-three NCAA Western quarterfinal series between the second-seeded Minnesota Golden Gophers and the sixth-seeded Wisconsin Badgers should be a thriller.

There will be two very good reasons why this hockey contest should be exciting: Minnesota junior goaltender Robb Stauber and his Badger counterpart, Curtis Joseph, who will digging in their skates, sliding on masks and getting ready to guard roomy nets while the crowd at Mariucci settles down in its seats.

Stauber won hockey's Heismann equivalent, the Hobey Baker Award, as a sophomore and is once again one of 10 finalists. And Joseph was recently named the WCHA MVP, earning Freshman of the Year honors and a spot on the all-conference team.

Minnesota Coach Doug Woog and his 31-10-3 Golden Gophers will need Stauber (2.39 goals against average, .914 save percentage) to play alertly. Wisconsin (25-14-5) took the Gophers into overtime three out of this year's five previous meetings, and is a formidable opponent especially as the underdog.

"The pressure falls on Minnesota," Badger Coach Jeff Sauer said. "We earned our respect last weekend against St. Lawrence, but Minnesota still has to prove its number two seeding."

Indeed, Wisconsin did show well in its first-round series against St. Lawrence last weekend in Canton, N.Y. The East's third-seeded team had to cancel its reservations on Air Minnesota after only two games.

Invaluable to Wisconsin's offense are Captain and junior wingman John Boyce (26 goals, 28 assists for 54 points), freshman center Doug McDonald (23-25--48), and junior right wing Chris Tancill (20-23--43). Defensively, Joseph (2.43 g.a.a., .921 save percentage) will try for his 22nd win in 36 games.

Minnesota earned a bye in the first round with its number-two seed. The Golden Gophers will be led by the well-rested skates of junior Captain Dave Snuggerud (27-19--46). Also expected to fill the rope basket are junior wingmen Tom Chorske (24-17--41) and Peter Hankinson (15-26--41). If Wisconsin has gained a mental edge by handily defeating the Saints, then Minnesota may have a physical advantage after resting sores and bruises over the mini-layoff.

"I have no doubt that Minnesota will be ready to play, and I expect an intense series," Sauer said, "but the first game will be crucial. Minnesota's timing may be off initially, and we want to take this opportunity and run."

Are Badgers faster than Golden Gophers? What do Golden Gophers look like? After this weekend, maybe we'll know the answer to both.

Wisc.-Minn. Facts

.The Badgers won the 1973 and 1983 tittles.

.Minnesota last won the tittle in 1979, defeating North Dakota, 4-3.