ALBANY, N.Y. – Each of the four teams represented has a finalist for the Hobey Baker award on their team. Michigan State goaltender Ryan Miller is probably the favorite for the award. He set a career-shutout record this year as a sophomore. Michigan's Andy Hilbert is also a sophomore. Jeff Panzer of North Dakota led the nation in scoring. And Boston College's Brian Gionta is the 5-foot-7, do-everything dynamo.

The feeling overall is that Boston College and Michigan State will make it through to the final on the strength of great goaltending and defense in the Spartans' case and superior offensive and defensive balance for the Eagles along with a goaltender with something to prove.

Michigan St. vs. North Dakota (Thurs., 1:30 p.m. ET, ESPN2)
North Dakota: North Dakota is very quick up front and top-heavy on the first line. The Panzer Unit, led by center Jeff Panzer can really scoot and Panzer, himself, is the top scorer in the country. Bryan Lundbohm and Ryan Bayda flank Panzer to make up what is probably the best line in college hockey. The rest of the forwards are very good but don't have the ability to finish what their first line does.

While The Fighting Sioux like playing at a high tempo, their defense is anchored by Travis Roche. Roche has a big shot and will really get after you. He is considered one of the best defensemen in the nation and reflects North Dakota's tendency to be more offensive minded.

Michigan State: The Spartans have been the number-one rated team in the country since November. Their strength starts in goal and works out. Goaltender Ryan Miller – the ninth Miller to attend Michigan State along with notable cousins Kip and Kelly – has been one of the biggest names in college hockey all year. Only a sophomore, Miller has already set an NCAA record for most shutouts in a career with 18. His numbers are mind-numbing: he has a .950 save percentage and has allowed only 55 goals in 41 games.

They don't have a star scorer. But while they lack a gunner on offense, they are known to have a plan for every square-foot of the ice. They kill penalties exceptionally well and defend. The Spartans score first most of the time with Miller backstopping and once they score, they simply execute their game plan to win.

Michigan vs. Boston College (Thurs., 7:30 p.m. ET, ESPN2)
Michigan: The Wolverines are the surprise entrant in this year's Frozen Four. They had an up-and-down season but got their act together at exactly the right time. Their senior class has national championship experience after winning in 1998. This is not as spectacular as some Michigan teams have been recently. This is their seventh trip to the Frozen Four in 10 years and it's probably nice for the Wolverines to be underdogs. Having a tradition like they do does not often permit you to surprise teams, but this year's team might have that advantage. They are very physical and would love to steal this away from in-state rival and favorite Michigan State.

Even with all the championship experience on this team, though, it's the sophomore class that leads them. Andy Hilbert is their best all-around talent. Mike Cammalleri and John Shouneyia, also sophomores, round out their highest-scoring trio. The second-year players account for 49 percent of Michigan's points.

Boston College: The Eagles are led by 5-foot-7 Brian Gionta. He's a spectacular senior who is leading BC back to the Frozen Four for the fourth straight year. Since he has been in the limelight for so long, Gionta is able to take pressure off his teammates and still perform at a high level. After Gionta, the Eagles have a very solid unit of forwards with size. BC also plays excellent defense with six mobile defensemen who can pound you.

Goaltender Scott Clemmensen will be scrutinized very closely. He has been to the Frozen Four, along with Gionta for four straight years, but has gotten a reputation as the goalie who can't win the big one. He has played very well to get them this far so I think some of the criticism he has withstood has been unfair. He has played more games in net for BC than anyone else and has turned in an unbelievable record. This is a very well balanced team.

Brian Engblom is a hockey analyst for ESPN. He played 11 seasons in the NHL as a defenseman, including six with the Montreal Canadiens.