MAINE vs. BOSTON UNIVERSITY

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

Records: Maine 9-7-5 (4-4-3 Hockey East); Boston University 7-10-1 (5-5-1)

Series, last meeting: BU leads 35-33-5; BU won 3-2 on 12/8/00

Key players: Maine – C Martin Kariya (6 goals, 9 assists), RW Matthias Trattnig (8 & 5), C Chris Heisten (2 & 10), LW Dan Kerluke (5 & 6), D Peter Metcalf (3 & 5), D Doug Janik (1 & 6), G Matt Yeats (8-5-2, 2.18 GAA, .910 save pct.); Boston University – C Carl Corazzini (10 & 10), C Dan Cavanaugh (6 & 9), LW Mike Pandolfo (6 & 8), C Brian Collins (5 & 6), D Freddy Meyer (3 & 7), D Pat Aufiero (1 & 6), G Jason Tapp (5-7-1, 3.31, .891)

Outlook: The two rivals find themselves in desperate need of wins as they battle for a home-ice berth in the Hockey East quarterfinals and an NCAA Tournament berth. BU has won five of its last seven and Maine is 3-1-1 in its last five. Both are aggressive, swift-skating teams that are dangerous in transition. But both have problems putting the puck in the net. Maine has scored two goals or fewer 13 times and is averaging 2.71 goals per game while BU has been held under three goals seven times and is averaging 2.94 gpg. Maine will be bolstered by the return of Heisten, who missed six games with a knee injury, and defenseman Francis Nault, who didn’t play last weekend because he returned home to visit his ailing father. BU has the best power play in Hockey East (28 percent) and Maine has the second-best penalty-killing unit (88.8 percent). Maine’s slumping power play is fifth at 17.4 percent while BU’s penalty killing is eighth at 78.8 percent.