College hockey

NCAA East Regional Quarterfinal

NEW HAMPSHIRE vs. DENVER

Time, site: Friday, 4:30 p.m.; The Centrum, Worcester, Mass.

Records: New Hampshire 22-9-4, Denver 24-14-2

Series: Denver leads 5-2

Key players: New Hampshire – F Eric Flinton (21 goals, 23 assists), F Eric Royal (18-26), F Mike Sullivan (13-26), F Mark Mowers (13-22), F Nick Poole (8-26), F Eric Boguniecki (12-19), G Trent Cavicchi (14-5-1, 3.20 goals-against ave., .884 save pct.); Denver – C Angelo Ricci (19-26), LW Jason Elders (21-19), RW Chris Kenady (21-16), C Warren Smith (16-17), LW Antti Laaksonen (16-15), D Craig McMillan (4-23), G Sinuhe Wallinheimo (15-9-1, 2.83, .905)

Outlook: The Wildcats and the Pioneers enter the NCAA Tournament lacking momentum, both having lost two games in a row. New Hampshire goes in as the No. 3 seed after getting bounced out of the Hockey East quarterfinals by Providence. It marked only the second time this season the ‘Cats had lost back-to-back games. Denver earned an at-large berth and the No. 6 seed after dropping one-goal decisions to Wisconsin and Minnesota (overtime) at the WCHA tourney. UNH holds the upper hand in experience, having played two games in last year’s NCAA Tournament. However, Denver is making its first NCAA appearance since 1986, when it made the Final Four. The Pioneers are more penalty-prone than the ‘Cats, who lead the nation with a .903 penalty-killing percentage. But Denver has killed off 82 percent. The teams are similar in that they feature outstanding offensive balance and are adept at scoring in transition situations.