Editor's note: Paul Pooley is the men's ice hockey coach at Providence College, which played all of the Frozen Four schools this season. Coach Pooley weighs in on what to expect from this season's finalists:

Maine (25-10-7)
Key players: C Martin Kariya, RW Niko Dimitrakos, RW Colin Shields, LW Lucas Lawson, D Peter Metcalf, G Mike Morrison, G Matt Yeats.

The thing with Maine is when you play them it's a 60-minute track meet. The Black Bears are always going, they transition the puck from defense to offense as well as anybody. And their defense is always in the rush, so they have three and four guys always in the rush. Once there's a turnover, they're gone. They play well defensively, they play four lines and just keep coming at you -- more in transition than anything.

If you turn it over, they get the puck and come right back at you. Once there's a change of possession, you need to get back on defense and pick up people because their defense joins the rush and their forwards are already on the attack.

They're an aggressive forechecking team too. They used to play it a little different, but now they're more of a 2-1-2 team where they send two forwards and the third guy is high and pinches on the puck. On the power play, Maine likes to get the puck to the net and create rebounds.

New Hampshire (30-6-3)
Key players: C Darren Haydar, RW Colin Hemingway, RW Jim Abbott, D Garrett Stafford, G Matt Carney, G Michael Ayres.

The question mark coming into the year for New Hampshire was goaltending after losing Ty Conklin. But this year, the squad has a lot more depth and has been solid in net.

UNH is also a transition hockey club. They're not going to dazzle you with speed on the forecheck. They're going to be smart and patient, and once they create a turnover, that's when they're dangerous. That's why they don't give up many goals and that's why they score goals.

They support the puck very well, and will keep guys high in the defensive zone. If you're down low in the offensive zone and there's a turnover, they'll chip it to the boards and then chip it out to create a two-on-one.

It could be a very controlled game, and then in five minutes, they've got two goals. They score in spurts and they're deep. They've got four lines that can play and their defense is good.

Michigan (27-10-5)
Key players: C Mike Cammalleri, LW Eric Nystrom, RW Jed Ortmeyer, D Mike Komisarek, G Josh Blackburn.

The Wolverines play eight freshmen and they have really developed as the season has gone on, and that's a credit to the coaching staff. In particular, left wing Eric Nystrom is playing really well on a line with Mike Cammalleri and Jed Ortmeyer, who is a stabilizing force on that line.

Josh Blackburn is a senior goaltender who has been the starter since Day One. He has been in this situation before, and the fact that he has the most NCAA experience in the Frozen Four is a bonus for Michigan.

The forwards are also a key for Michigan -- they like to move the puck and keep it simple. They can skate, move the puck and are very dangerous off the rush. They also transition the puck very well. They have a lot of speed and their skill players can break you down one-on-one.

Minnesota (30-8-4)
Key players: C John Pohl, C Jeff Taffe, D Jordan Leopold, G Adam Hauser.

All of the teams in the Frozen Four are fast, but Minnesota was really fast when we played them in December. Jordan Leopold is probably the best defenseman in the country. They have a lot of players with high skill level and good speed. They are also a good transition team. If you turn it over at the offensive blue line, they will come back at you very quickly.

The big thing is that goaltending has always been the question with Minnesota. Adam Hauser had an outstanding year and this tournament does come down to goaltending.

I know that advancing to the Frozen Four was something they really worked hard to achive. I see being at "home" as a plus and it's got to be a motivational factor for them too. It probably gives them confidence playing in familiar surroundings.