ALBANY, N.Y. – Every team at this year's Frozen Four has a Hobey Baker finalist on its roster.

There's North Dakota's Jeff Panzer, Michigan's Andy Hilbert and Boston College's Brian Gionta.

Michigan State has goaltender Ryan Miller, the super sophomore who leads the nation in wins (31), goals-against-average (1.31) and save percentage (.950). His counterpart in net for Thursday's first semifinal (1:30 p.m. ET, ESPN2) isn't on that list.

		Wed, April 4 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 that 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. Complete Engblom analysis

And the differences between Miller and North Dakota's Karl Goehring (15-5-6, 2.46, .915) don't end there.

Miller is 6-foot-2 with an outgoing personality. Goehring is 5-7 and stares at his feet when answering questions.

Miller was drafted by the Buffalo Sabres in the 1999 NHL draft. Goehring wasn't drafted and faces the very real possibility of playing his last game of organized hockey this weekend.

Miller has a web site (ryanmillertime.com) and was featured in Sports Illustrated after he broke the NCAA record for career shutouts in February. Goehring often has been overlooked on a Fighting Sioux team that features Panzer, the nation's leading scorer.

Now for the biggest difference.

Miller is here to trying to win a national title, which would be the Spartans' first since 1986.

Goehring is here trying to win another national title. He beat Boston College in last year's championship game and is trying to help North Dakota become the first repeat champion since Boston University in 1971 and 1972.

"He'd didn't have the banner, Hobey-Baker type year but he's broken almost every record at North Dakota and has a lot of experience," coach Dean Blais said. "Ryan Miller is an excellent goaltender, just look at the stats.

"But Karl in the last month has been as good or better than he's ever been. I wouldn't trade him for any goaltender in the country – especially this time of year and especially because he's the defending national championship goaltender. He's capable of shutting out anyone at any time."

North Dakota leads the nation in goals scored (179) but if the Fighting Sioux expect to advance to Saturday's championship they're going to need another weekend out of Goehring like he produced in Providence last April. UND shut out Maine 4-0 in the semifinal and took the title with a 4-2 win over the Eagles.

Against BC, the Apple Valley, Minn., native entered the third period trailing 2-1 but pitched a shutout when it mattered most, finished with 32 saves and was named to the all-tournament team.

Despite all of the Miller Mania surrounding this Frozen Four, Goehring's teammates know that they can win a defensive-style game with their goalie, too.

"(Miller's) a great goaltender but we've played a lot of great goaltenders all year – and every day we practice against one," Panzer said with a smile. "(Karl's) not a bad goaltender, you know. He's one of the elite and he's done a lot too.

"He's a classy kid and he has his head on straight and he's going to go out there and do his job. People respect him and he knows that. It's not a big thing to him if he gets the credit or not."

For his part, Goehring isn't concerned about all of the attention being paid to Miller.

"No matter what happens, I have one job to do and that's stop the puck," Goehring said. "You need to keep the game as simple as possible. Once you get on the ice the game doesn't change, it's the same as when you were playing in the backyard rinks and it comes down to very simple things.

"It takes all 20 guys if you're going to win so I need to focus on my job, contribute that, and let the rest take care of itself. It's so important in this game to realize that it's a team sport regardless of who's getting all the attention."

So what does Miller think of Goehring?

"I've only seen him on tape and in (Wednesday's) practice. Based on that, he's one of the best goalies I've seen this year," Miller said. "But I'm going to focus on my game and not worry about what Karl is doing at the other end.

"I'm sure he's going to make saves and keep his team in a position to win – and that's your job as a goalie. That's my job. I go out every night not just focusing on the win but giving your guys a chance to win. If they pop some goals in and you give them a chance to win, you've done your job."

Most players would take a couple of wins this weekend over winning an award, even if it's the Heisman Trophy of college hockey.

Just ask Karl Goehring.

David Albright is a senior editor at ESPN.com.