ST. PAUL, Minn. -- Back at the Xcel Energy Center a day before the Frozen Four, the University of North Dakota skated on the ice like every other practice. Hard working at times. Relaxed at others. However, they always seemed focused.

Focus is one of the many angles the media has taken in the two weeks between regionals and now. But the national media had a chance to fire other questions at UND during a 24-minute press conference this afternoon.

Some storylines you might see:

• Playing back at the Xcel Energy Center. UND beat Denver in the WCHA Final Five championship a few weeks back in front of a largely pro-UND crowd. Senior captain Chay Genoway noted a major difference. "However, we are playing a different hockey team that we didn't see at the WCHA Final Five. We are playing Michigan, and we haven't played them much before so we are preparing for what they will bring tomorrow."
• Being back in the Frozen Four. It's UND's fifth trip in seven years.
• Thoughts on playing Michigan. Head coach Dave Hakstol: "They're a complete hockey team in every sense of the word and a complete hockey team that is playing very well."
• UND's consistency.
• There were also some lighter moments. Earlier in the day, Michigan head coach Red Berenson said he nearly went to UND. Asked if that happened, Berenson might likely be the current Sioux head coach. Hakstol and Genoway were asked what they were be doing if that were the case. Both tried to answer, but mostly poked fun at each other.

Overall, there seems to be a loose atmosphere around this team. They also appear ready to work. And then there's that focus.