Hockey East Best-of-Three Quarterfinals

MAINE vs. UMASS LOWELL

Time, site: Friday, Saturday, Sunday (if necessary), 7 p.m., Alfond Arena, Orono

Records: No. 4 Maine 18-11-7 (13-6-5 Hockey East); No. 5 UML 20-104 (11-10-3)

Series, last meeting: Maine leads 55-22-3; Maine 5-3 on 2/26/05

Key players: Maine – C Derek Damon (12 goals, 13 assists), C Jon Jankus (8 & 16), RW Greg Moore (13 & 8), LW Brent Shepheard (11 & 10), C Michel Leveille (10 & 10), D Mike Lundin (1 & 12), G Jimmy Howard (17-11-7, 2.02 goals-against average, .919 save percentage); UML – C Ben Walter (26 & 13), C Elias Godoy (12 & 26), LW Andrew Martin (11 & 20), RW Danny O’Brien (11 & 17), C Jason Tejchma (11 & 15), D Cleve Kinley (7 & 20), G John Yaros (4-1, 1.44, .951)

Outlook: Martin is questionable due to a concussion suffered against Maine two weeks ago and C Chris Fontas is out with a separated shoulder. But 6-foot-4 senior defenseman Peter Tormey returned last weekend and will give UMass Lowell a better net front presence. Yaros is 3-1, 1.00, .966, since returning from an injury. Maine is 8-0-3 in its last 11 home games and 10-1-1 in its last 12 Alfond games vs. UML. UML has the nation’s third-best power play (23.9 percent) while Maine has the third-best penalty-killing percentage (87.6 percent). Walter is second in the country in goals but Tejchma has been UML’s best forward vs. Maine this season with three goals. Maine will have to finish its checks and avoid turning the puck over because the River Hawks are a good transition team. UML’s forwards will need to keep their feet moving to sustain their forecheck.