With the graduation of three mainstays including Hockey East Player of the Year Chris Imes, the biggest concern facing the University of Maine’s hockey team last October was its defense.

But the defense corps has stepped to the forefront, helping the third-seeded Bears hold Hockey East opponents to a league-low 3.13 goals per game, and they will be severely tested by a fast, creative and talented group of University of New Hampshire forwards when they begin their best-of-three Hockey East quarterfinal series on Thursday night at the Alfond Arena.

UNH is the sixth seed.

“Everybody wondered what was going to happen to our `D,”‘ said junior goalie Blair Allison. “Maybe there were some growing pains early but they have been real steady and they’ve probably been our strength this year.”

“They’re the best group of defensemen who have ever played in front of me,” said senior goalie Blair Marsh.

The Bears’ defensive corps features offensive-minded types like junior Jeff Tory (36 points) and freshman Brett Clark (34). Junior Jason Mansoff, who shares the team lead in plus-minus at plus-15 and tops the blue-liners in goals with eight; and solid stay-at-home types Jeff Libby, Brian White and David Cullen.

Libby and White are sophomores and Cullen is a freshman.

“The two freshmen have come a long way and we’ve been with the same partners almost all year which makes it a lot easier,” said Libby.

“We have a good mix and the partners match up pretty well together,” said Tory.

“They’re a good, solid group,” said UNH coach Dick Umile. “They get the puck out of the zone and they’re tough inside.”

The Bear defensemen know their task is a tall one.

“We’re going to have to pick up our men really early because they are one of the most creative teams around in the neutral zone,” said Tory. “They like to criss-cross and make rink-wide passes. If we play loose on them, they’re talented enough to make good plays and get good scoring chances.”

“We’ve got to play the body, stand them up [at the blue line] and not let them get into the offensive zone,” said White. “Once they get into the zone, they’re pretty tricky. We’re going to have to keep talking to each other and be aware of what’s going on around us. They like to slip guys behind you.”

UNH junior right wing Eric Boguniecki, who had four goals in the overtime loss to Maine, said he prefers playing Maine to UMass-Lowell because “they’re a skating team and they play more like we do. Lowell likes to clutch and grab.”

“Whoever plays the best defense will win the series,” added Boguniecki.

“We’ve been playing well defensively lately, so we’re optimistic,” said UNH senior defenseman Todd Hall. “The specialty teams will be a key.”