Men’s hockey

MAINE vs. BOSTON UNIVERSITY

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

Records: Maine 12-8-4 (7-3-2 Hockey East); BU 13-9 (9-3 HE)

Series, last meeting: Maine leads 41-40-7, BU 2-1 on Oct. 31

Key players: Maine – C Derek Damon (11 goals, 10 assists), C Jon Jankus (6 & 11), LW Josh Soares (7 & 8), RW Greg Moore (9 & 4), C Michel Leveille (7 & 4), D Troy Barnes (1 & 11), G Jimmy Howard (11-8-4, 2.14 goals-against average, .908 save percentage); Boston University – C Pete MacArthur (11 & 9), RW John Laliberte (7 & 11), LW David Van der Gulik (10 & 7), C Brad Zancanaro (9 & 7), LW Chris Bourque (4 & 9), D Bryan Miller (5 & 11), G John Curry (11-6, 1.95, .924)

Outlook: Zancanaro has 8 & 2 in his last nine games. The dynamic Bourque, son of Hall-of-Fame defenseman Ray Bourque, will return to the lineup for the first time since injuring his knee in the World Junior Championships. Both teams are pressure-oriented and physical. They’ll force turnovers that lead to transition chances and both will forecheck tenaciously if the opportunity presents itself. Goals have been hard to come by in recent Maine-BU games as they have combined for three goals or less in four of the last five games. The teams have split their last four games in Orono. The Bears have done a much better job getting to the opposing net front lately and must continue to do so against recruited walk-on goalie Curry, one of college hockey’s best success stories.