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The 2022 Frozen Four is certainly not short on talent. There are tons of great players to keep an eye on later this week. 

However, 10 had to be selected. Here are the 10 must-watch players in this year's Frozen Four. 

Click here to read the full story. 

It's no surprise that these two squads are in this year's Frozen Four. 

But how did they end up here? 

Click here to read the full story detailing each team's journey to this point. 

Despite Minnesota and Minnesota State not being in the same conference, they are in the same state. That makes playing each other far easier than Michigan and Denver trying to schedule a matchup. 

The first game between the Gophers and the Mavericks came on Jan. 2, 1998. Since then, the two teams have battled 60 times. Minnesota has the upper hand in the series with a record of 37-17-6. 

Here's how the last 10 games have gone: 

Michigan vs. Denver all-time matchup history

DATE	WINNER	LOSER	FINAL SCORE
March 28, 2021	Minnesota State	Minnesota	4-0
Nov. 8, 2018	Minnesota State	Minnesota	2-1
Nov. 2, 2018	Minnesota State	Minnesota	5-1
Nov. 19, 2016	Minnesota	Minnesota State	1-0
Nov. 18, 2016	Minnesota State	Minnesota	4-1
Jan. 31, 2016	Minnesota State	Minnesota	3-2
Nov. 14, 2015	Minnesota State	Minnesota	3-2
Nov. 13, 2015	Minnesota	Minnesota State	4-0
Jan. 23, 2015	Minnesota State	Minnesota	4-2
Nov. 16, 2013	Minnesota	Minnesota State	3-0

Minnesota and Minnesota State are two wins away from a national championship. Before the puck drops in Boston, here's how they did in their two ������Ƶ tournament games. 

Minnesota	STAT	Minnesota State
No. 2	Seed	No. 1
Big Ten	Conference	CCHA
Def. No. 3 UMass, 4-3 (OT)	First round	Def. No. 4 Harvard, 4-3
Def. No. 1 Western Michigan, 3-0	Regional final	Def. No. 3 Notre Dame, 1-0

It all comes down to this: the 2022 Frozen Four.

Tonight, four teams battle for two spots in Saturday’s national championship game. The second game is scheduled for 8:30 p.m. ET between Minnesota and Minnesota State. That game can be watched on ESPNU. You can follow the entire game on this page. 

To follow the first semifinal game, click here for live updates from the Michigan-Denver game.

Here’s some pregame reading before Thursday’s national semifinal:

• Like all Frozen Fours, there’s a lot to follow in this one. But this year’s event is even more interesting given how great all four teams are. sifoeeprocess.com’s Evan Marinofsky wrote about all the interesting storylines and which ones are the best. There’s one particular goaltending matchup that is extremely interesting.
• All three Hat Trick finalists for the 2022 Hobey Baker award are here at the Frozen Four. But that’s only the tip of the iceberg of all the great players that are here. Marinofsky dove into the 10 must-watch players of the tournament. It wasn’t an easy task.
• The one constant among all Frozen Four teams: it’s not a surprise that they’re here. Still, Michigan, Minnesota, Denver and Minnesota State all had unique paths to get to Boston. Marinofsky details the journey each took to get to this moment and how that prepared them for Thursday and Saturday night.
• The regional finals were over a week ago, so you may need to refresh your memory. Here were the five most memorable storylines from the regional finals.
• The first round of regionals was even longer ago, so you may need to refresh your memory again. Here were the five most memorable storylines of the first round.
• Click here to access the official bracket for the 2022 DI men’s ice hockey tournament.

Due to Michigan and Denver going to overtime, the ������Ƶ has announced the matchup between Minnesota State and Minnesota will begin 60 minutes after the game-winning goal in Game 1. 

This.

Is a work of art. 🤝

— Minnesota Men’s Hockey (@GopherHockey)

It didn't matter that it was the Golden Gophers' first shot on net. All that matters is that it went in. 

After Minnesota State mishandled the puck leaving its own end, Matthew Knies and Bryce Brodzinski found themselves on a 2-on-0. They passed it back and forth, getting Minnesota State goalie Dryden McKay out of position, before Knies deposited the puck into the open net. 

Minnesota leads, 1-0, with 11:08 to play in the first period. 

This.

Is a work of art. 🤝

— Minnesota Men’s Hockey (@GopherHockey)

Minnesota leads Minnesota State, 1-0, after one period. 

The lone goal came from star freshman Matthew Knies. Along with Bryce Brodzinski, Knies finished off a 2-on-0 that came off of Minnesota State mishandling the puck leaving its own end. 

Despite being down on the scoreboard, Minnesota State controlled most of the first period, outshooting the Golden Gophers, 11-4. 

THIS is Minnesota State Hockey 👏👏 x

— ������Ƶ Ice Hockey (@������ƵIceHockey)

Minnesota State was in the midst of one of its best offensive zone shifts of the game. Reggie Lutz made sure to capitalize. 

With the puck bouncing around the front of Minnesota's net, Lutz grabbed the puck and cashed in on a wraparound goal — the Mavericks' second goal of that style of the period. 

Minnesota State leads, 2-1, with 6:29 to play in the second period. 

Minnesota State continued its dominant play in the second period. The only difference between this frame and the last: The Mavericks lead. 

THIS is Minnesota State Hockey 👏👏 x

— ������Ƶ Ice Hockey (@������ƵIceHockey)

Both goals came off wraparounds. First it was Benton Maass. Then, a few moments later, it was Reggie Lutz. 

Maass and the Mavericks tie it up 1-1!!! x

— ������Ƶ Ice Hockey (@������ƵIceHockey)

The Mavericks have controlled most of the first two periods. They’re outshooting Minnesota, 21-11. 

We’re in for quite the third period.