MAINE vs. BOSTON COLLEGE

Time, site: Friday and Saturday, 7 p.m.; Alfond Arena, Orono

Records: Maine 12-8 (7-3 Hockey East), BC 9-9-1 (3-7-1 HE)

Series: BC leads 26-16

Key players: Maine – RW Patrice Tardif (10 goals, 9 assists), C Dan Shermerhorn (6 & 10), LW Reg Cardinal (6 & 8), C Tim Lovell (3 & 10), D Jason Weinrich (3 & 3), G Blair Marsh (4-4, 3.88 goals-against average, .853 save percentage), G Blair Allison (8-4, 3.14, .893); Boston College – LW Ryan Haggerty (8 & 14), RW Dave Hymovitz (13 & 8), RW Jerry Buckley (12 & 9), RW John Joyce (9 & 11), D Michael Spalla (3 & 17), C Jack Callahan (8 & 10), G Greg Taylor (8-8-1, 3.83, .883)

Outlook: This series kicks off an important six-game Hockey East homestand for the Bears. Maine has won the last seven games against the BC. The Bears outscored the Eagles 21-3 in last year’s three meetings. Maine will have 12 first-year players in the lineup as leading scorer Mike Latendresse will be out with mononucleosis, LW Chuck Texeira is out with a shoulder injury and top scoring defenseman Dave MacIsaac is doubtful due to a hand injury. BC will have 11 first- or second-year players in its lineup including five on defense. BC has brothers Greg, Brian and Jack Callahan.