MEN’S HOCKEY

Maine vs. Boston College

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

Records: Maine 7-0 (2-0 Hockey East), BC 4-2-1 (1-0)

Series, last meeting: BC leads 41-32-5; BC 5-2 on 2/7/03

Key players: Maine – LW Todd Jackson (7 goals, 3 assists), RW Greg Moore (5 & 4), RW Colin Shields (6 & 2), D Troy Barnes (1 & 6), D Prestin Ryan (1 & 5), G Jimmy Howard (3-0, 1.33 GAA, .941 save percentage), G Frank Doyle (4-0, 1.25, .946); Boston College – LW Tony Voce (5 & 2), C Ben Eaves (2 & 5), RW Patrick Eaves (1 & 4), C Ryan Shannon (1 & 4), D J.D. Forrest (1 & 0), D Andrew Alberts (0 & 1), G Matti Kaltiainen (4-2-1, 2.13, .893)

Outlook: The Eagles beat UMass-Lowell 4-1 on Wednesday while the Bears will be rested. Maine LW Luciano Aquino, who missed three games with a shoulder injury, is back. BC probably will be without RW Dave Spina (ankle). Center Ty Hennes (ankle) also may be out after getting hurt Wednesday. BC, ranked fifth in the country, has one of the nation’s most explosive teams. Ben Eaves returned from injury (concussion) vs. UML and Maine has to contain his line, which includes brother Patrick Eaves and Voce. BC’s defense is mobile and talented. Maine, ranked No. 1, will have to outwork the Eagles and slow them down by playing the body. Eaves’ return will give the power play a huge lift. Maine can’t afford to take penalties. Jackson leads the country with four shorthanded goals. The combination of Jackson-Derek Damon-Moore has been Maine’s top line.

MEN’S BASKETBALL

Maine vs. Connecticut Stars

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

Last meeting: Maine 111-98 on 11/17/02

Key players: Maine – 6-2 G Kevin Reed, 6-3 Eric Dobson, 6-2 G Ludmil Hadjisotirov, 6-7 G-F Joe Campbell, 6-7 G Freddy Petkus, 6-10 F Mark Flavin, 6-9 F David Dubois; Connecticut Stars – 6-8 F Junior Amos, 6-2 G William Antrum, 6-4 G Phil Lott, 6-7 F Jeremy Bishop, 6-8 F Bill Romano, 6-0 G Colin Charles

Outlook: Connecticut is coming off a 124-81 loss to the Brown University Bears in which Antrum, a former Washington State University star from Winston-Salem, N.C., led his team with 18 points. Former Hawaii star Phil Lott had 14. Longtime Maine fans may recognize the names of Junior Amos, a former standout at the University of Hartford, and guard Troy Bradford of Fairfield University. Maine coach John Giannini will evaluate several player combinations at guard and substitute freely to see how certain players handle themselves in various roles. Maine’s big men, in particular, will be eyed as the Bears work the kinks out of their new four-guard lineup.