Maine vs. Boston University

Time, site: Friday, Saturday, 7 p.m., Walter Brown Arena, Boston

Records: Maine 19-9-6 overall (13-5-4 Hockey East); Boston University 23-7-2 (15-5-2 HE)

Series, last meeting: BU leads 35-32-6; BU 3-2 (OT) on Nov. 9

Key players: Maine – RW Niko Dimitrakos (14 goals, 23 assists), C Martin Kariya (13 & 23), RW Colin Shields (23 & 12), D Peter Metcalf (7 & 28), C Tommy Reimann (11 & 19), D Francis Nault (6 & 14), G Mike Morrison (16-3-4, 1.97 goals-against average, .930 save percentage); Boston University – LW Mike Pandolfo (20 & 15), RW Frantisek Skladany (11 & 12), C Brian McConnell (10 & 12), LW Jack Baker (11 & 10), D Chris Dyment (6 & 12), D Ryan Whitney (4 & 12), G Sean Fields (20-5-2, 2.50, .906)

Outlook: These are two of the hottest teams in the country as BU has won nine straight and Maine is 10-3-3 in 2002 and 3-0-1 in its last four. The Terriers are a tenacious forechecking team so the Bears will have to play with composure in their own end and keep the Terriers on the perimeter. The Bears will also have to get rid of the puck quickly and make safe plays off the boards in the defensive zone. BU is extremely quick. Maine has surrendered just four goals in its last four games. BU has given up only 19 goals during its winning streak. Maine must continue its recent trend of playing with discipline. Maine is the least penalized team in Hockey East games and BU is the most penalized team. Morrison was the league’s goalie of the month for February (4-1-2, 2.01, .918).