MAINE vs. BOSTON UNIVERSITY

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

Records: Maine 23-6-5 (13-5-4 Hockey East); BU 20-11-3 (12-9-1 HE)

Series, last meeting: 37-37-6; Maine 7-3 on 11/16/02

Key players: Maine – C Marty Kariya (13 goals, 33 assists), LW Lucas Lawson (19 & 14), D Francis Nault (10 & 23), C Robert Liscak (12 & 20), D Cliff Loya (1 & 6), G Frank Doyle (10-1-5, 2.13 goals-against average, .917 save percentage), G Jimmy Howard (13-5, 2.23, .924) BU – RW Frantisek Skladany (9 & 19), C Mark Mullen (11 & 13), RW John Sabo (10 & 12), C Brian Collins (8 & 12), LW Brian McConnell (10 & 9), D Bryan Miller (3 & 16), G Sean Fields (19-10-3, 2.45, .910)

Outlook: BU plays Providence in its upcoming HE quarterfinal series and is battling for home ice. The teams are tied with PC holding the tiebreaker and hosting UMass-Lowell in its final game tonight. The Terriers are 6-1-1 in their last eight and have allowed only 15 goals while Maine is 3-4-2 in its last nine including a 1-2-1 mark in its last four home games. BU defenseman and captain Freddy Meyer is doubtful with a separated shoulder. The Terriers are an aggressive forechecking team so Maine’s turnover-prone defense will have to limit its giveaways and do a thorough job protecting the front of the net. BU’s defensemen have scored 23 goals. The Bears will have to be wary of them. BU is the ninth most penalized team in the nation although the Terriers have reduced them in recent weeks. BU will have to limit Maine’s transition rushes by protecting the puck in the neutral zone and near both blue lines.