HOCKEY EAST SEMIFINALS

MAINE vs. PROVIDENCE

Time, site: Friday, 8 p.m.; FleetCenter, Boston

Records: Maine 19-10-7, Providence 21-11-5

Series, last meeting: Maine leads 45-27-2; Maine won 5-2 on 3/3/01

Key players: Maine – C Martin Kariya (12 goals, 21 assists), C Chris Heisten (5 & 19), LW Michael Schutte (13 & 10), RW Matthias Trattnig (11 & 12), D Doug Janik (2 & 13), D Peter Metcalf (5 & 9), G Matt Yeats (17-7-4 record, 2.29 goals-against average, .898 save percentage); Providence – LW Devin Rask (22 & 28), C Peter Fregoe (15 & 20), D Matt Libby (10 & 19), RW Drew Omicioli (11 & 14), D Jay Leach (4 & 21), RW Jon DiSalvatore (8 & 16), G Nolan Schaefer (14-6-2, 2.27, .920)

Outlook: Both teams could use a win to solidify an NCAA Tournament berth. Maine stole second place from the Friars, sweeping them 4-2 and 5-2 in Orono two weeks ago and outshooting them 74-35. Providence played three grueling games in ousting BU and may be a little leg-weary. Maine will try to create a fast tempo and capitalize on PC’s fatigue. The Friars will keep it simple and may even show a little trap. Rask and Fregoe are exceptional offensive players. Both are 5-foot-9, so Maine will play the body on them. Maine will get the last line change and that will enable coach Shawn Walsh to put his checking line, centered by Robert Liscak, on the Fregoe-Rask-Cody Loughlean line. The Bears will create scoring chances if PC turns the puck over in the neutral zone. Kariya has 6 & 10 in his last nine games and linemate Schutte has 9 & 7. Maine’s Niko Dimitrakos (11 & 12) and PC’s Omicioli are questionable due to injury. Rask had 5 & 1 against Maine this season.

BOSTON COLLEGE vs. UMASS-LOWELL

Time, site: Friday, 5 p.m.; FleetCenter, Boston

Records: Boston College 28-8-2; UMass-Lowell 19-15-3

Series, last meeting: BC leads 36-20-6; BC 4-3 on 2/2/01

Key players: Boston College – RW Brian Gionta (31 goals, 20 assists), C Krys Kolanos (23 & 21), RW Chuck Kobasew (20 & 21), C Ben Eaves (10 & 24), D Bobby Allen (6 & 14), D Rob Scuderi (3 & 15), G Scott Clemmensen (25-7-2 record, 2.18 GAA, .910 save percentage); UMass-Lowell – C Ed McGrane (17 & 20), D Ron Hainsey (10 & 25), C Brad Rooney (13 & 21), C Laurent Meunier (10 & 23), LW Kyle Kidney (10 & 18), RW Yorick Treille (10 & 14), G Jimi St. John (15-9-1, 2.45, .909)

Outlook: BC has won all three meetings, but the last two have been one-goal games. The River Hawks have to finish their checks and play disciplined, in-your-face defense to negate the Eagles’ speed and offensive creativity. UML will dump the puck into the offensive zone and try to create turnovers with their aggressive forechecking. But they will have to have one of their forwards high in the offensive zone to prevent BC from generating odd-man rushes. BC’s defense corps likes to jump into the offense and that may open the door for River Hawk odd-man rushes. St. John will have to be on top of his game because the Eagles can bury the puck. BC is a virtual shoo-in to be one of the top two seeds in the NCAA Tournament’s Eastern Regional, but the seniors, who have a school-record 112 wins in their careers, would love to annex a Hockey East championship. UML can’t afford to take penalties. Gionta leads the country in goals per game (.82).