MAINE vs. BOSTON COLLEGE

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

Records: Maine 21-3-4 (11-2-3 Hockey East); BC 17-6-3 (12-4-1 HE)

Series, last meeting: BC leads 41-32-5; 2-2 tie on 12/7/02

Key players: Maine – C Marty Kariya (13 goals, 29 assists), D Francis Nault (9 & 19), LW Lucas Lawson (15 & 12), C Robert Liscak (11 & 16), LW Chris Heisten (12 & 14), D Cliff Loya (0 & 6), G Jimmy Howard (13-2, 1.72 goals-against average, .942 save percentage); Boston College – C Ben Eaves (15 & 26), LW Tony Voce (14 & 18), C Ryan Shannon (10 & 16), RW David Spina (11 & 14), D J.D. Forrest (4 & 21), D Andrew Alberts (5 & 9), G Matti Kaltiainen (11-5-2, 2.24, .905)

Outlook:The teams are tied for first place in Hockey East with New Hampshire. Eaves has 8 & 13 over his last nine games and was named the Ice Hockey Collegiate Commissioners Association’s Player of the Month for January. Maine will have to find a way to neutralize Eaves and linemates Voce and Stephen Gionta. The Eagles have also received a lift from the productive line of Chris Collins-Ryan Shannon-David Spina. Maine is 6-1-2 in its last nine games while BC has won seven of its last eight. Lawson has eight goals in his last eight games including goals in three straight. Kariya has 9 & 14 in his last 13 games. Both teams are dangerous in transition so it will be important for both to protect the puck. Turnovers will lead to scoring chances. BC is the nation’s fourth-best offensive team (4.23 gpg) while Maine is the second-stingiest (2.00 GAA). Maine is 23-0-5 in its last 28 games at Alfond Arena.