Location: Boston, Mass.
Record: 31-6-4 overall (18-5-4 Hockey East, first)
Qualified: Hockey East tournament champions
NCAA Championships: Four (1971, 1972, 1978, 1995)
NCAA Appearance: 31st (most recent, 2007)
Head Coach: Jack Parker
Key Players: Colin Wilson, F, So. (39 GP, 15-35—50); Nick Bonino, F, So. (40 GP, 16-28—40); Matt Gilroy, D, Sr. (41 GP, 8-24—32); Kieran Millan, G, Fr. (25-2-3, 1.84, .923)
What You Need to Know: BU has been one of the best teams in the country throughout the entire season. The Terriers have six solid defensemen, headlined by Hobey Baker finalist Matt Gilroy. They’ve got two explosive scoring lines on top of two more very capable ones. Sophomore forward Colin Wilson is the most complete player in Hockey East. The Hobey Baker finalist became the first Terrier to score 50 points since Chris Drury 11 years ago. Kieran Millan is a rock in net. Despite being a freshman, he’s got great composure, and it’s a shock if he lets in a soft goal.
How They'll Advance: When the Terriers have come out with a purpose, they’ve been virtually unbeatable this season. Because they’re so good on the blue line in front of Millan, you don’t see them giving up many quality chances, and teams have a difficult time sustaining any momentum against them. They move the puck almost effortlessly through the neutral zone. With that talent, it’s not uncommon for the Terriers to rip off game-changing scoring runs — such as their three goals in 44 seconds against Boston College in the Hockey East semifinals.
What Might Trip Them Up: For a team this good, it’s crazy to see BU take as many penalties as it does. The Terriers have the best penalty kill in Hockey East, but it’s gotten too much practice. They surrendered four power-play goals in their loss to Maine in Game 2 of the Hockey East quarterfinals, and they had a hard time generating any consistency against BC in the conference semis because they continually committed penalties at inopportune times.

NO. 2 SEED NORTH DAKOTA FIGHTING SIOUX

Location: Grand Forks, N.D.
Record: 24-14-4 overall (17-7-4 WCHA, first)
Qualified: At-large berth
NCAA Championships: Seven (1959, 1963, 1980, 1982, 1987, 1997, 2000)
NCAA Appearance: 24th (most recent, 2008)
Head Coach: Dave Hakstol
Key Players: Ryan Duncan, F, Sr. (42 GP, 19-19—38); Brad Miller, D, Sr. (40 GP, 6-29—35); Chris VandeVelde, F, Jr. (42 GP, 16-17—33); Brad Eidsness, G, Fr. (24-11-4, 2.47, .908)
What You Need to Know: North Dakota has reached four straight Frozen Fours coming out of the West (twice), Midwest and East regionals. The Fighting Sioux have talented (and clearly experienced) seniors, and it's a group that feels it has unfinished business, having come up short in the semifinals each year. They rebounded from a lackluster first half (9-10-1 at the New Year) to claim the WCHA regular-season championship.
How They'll Advance: The determination of those seniors and North Dakota's second-half surge seem to set the Sioux up well for the NCAA Tournament. At the very least it could set up a beauty of a regional final between the regular season champs from the WCHA and Hockey East. To beat BU the Sioux would need to win the special teams battle and have the better freshman goalie on that night.
What Might Trip Them Up: For the first time in four years, it won't be Boston College. But the Eagles' formula of quickness and speed up front, especially against North Dakota's bigger, less mobile defenseman, could still prove dangerous in later rounds. The Sioux can also struggle in tight, low-scoring affairs: they were held to two goals or fewer in 13 of their 14 losses, including both this past weekend.

NO. 3 SEED NEW HAMPSHIRE WILDCATS