Men’s Hockey

MAINE vs. BOSTON COLLEGE

Time, site: Friday, Saturday; 7 p.m.; Conte Forum, Chestnut Hill, Mass.

Records: Maine 10-7-6 overall (5-4-4 Hockey East); BC 17-6-1 (10-3-1 HE)

Series, last meeting: BC leads 36-29-3, BC 7-2 on Dec. 10

Key players: Maine – C Marty Kariya (6 goals, 9 assists), RW Matthias Trattnig (9 & 5), LW Lucas Lawson (6 & 8), C Chris Heisten (2 & 12), D Peter Metcalf (3 & 6), D Doug Janik (2 & 7), G Matt Yeats (9-5-3, 2.14 GAA, .908 save percentage); Boston College – C Krys Kolanos (17 & 17), RW Brian Gionta (17 & 14), RW Chuck Kobasew (14 & 14), RW Mike Lephart (9 & 15), D J.D. Forrest (5 & 7), D Bobby Allen (3 & 8), G Scott Clemmensen (15-5-1, 2.20, .910)

Outlook: BC has the nation’s fourth-best offense (4.13 goals per game) while Maine has the fourth-best defense (2.17 goals allowed per game). But BC has allowed only 2.46 GPG (10th) and its scoring margin of 1.67 per game is third in the country. Maine is 3-2-1 in its last six games at Conte Forum. Both coaches feel their teams have to protect the puck, particularly in the neutral zone. Both teams are quick and dangerous in transition. They can create odd-man rushes off turnovers. Maine will have three injured players back who were missing for the loss to BC in Orono last month. BC was without two defensemen including Allen. BC’s top four scorers are on three different lines. The Bears will have to play smothering team defense, finish their checks and avoid taking ill-advised penalties. Maine has to keep a watchful eye on Gionta, the two-time Hobey Baker Award finalist who had four goals and two assists in a sweep of Providence last weekend. Maine was idle.