Men’s hockey

Hockey East semifinals

MAINE vs. BOSTON COLLEGE

Time, site: Friday, 8 p.m.; TD Banknorth Garden, Boston

Records: Maine 26-10-2, BC 22-11-3

Series, last meeting: BC leads 46-38-6; Maine 3-1 on 2/18/06

Key players: Maine – RW Greg Moore (26 goals, 16 assists), C Michel Leveille (14 & 22), LW Josh Soares (13 & 23), C Derek Damon (14 & 18), LW Billy Ryan (10 & 18), D Bret Tyler (6 & 16), G Ben Bishop (19-6-2, 2.21 GAA, .906 save pct.); BC – LW Chris Collins (30 & 27), C Brian Boyle (20 & 26), D Peter Harrold (7 & 22), RW Stephen Gionta (10 & 18), RW Dan Bertram (9 & 15), D Brett Motherwell (3 & 17), G Cory Schneider (20-11-2, 2.20, .924)

Outlook: Maine swept the three-game regular-season series, outscoring BC 9-3. Bishop played all three games and had a .964 save percentage. Maine has a 10-game unbeaten streak (8-0-2) while BC is 4-5-1 in its last 10. BC beat Maine 2-1 in double overtime in last year’s HE semifinals. Maine will have to contain the line of Collins-Boyle-Brock Bradford. The Eagles have a lot of small, quick forwards, so Maine will have to play the body to slow them down and create turnovers. Both teams are dangerous in transition so neutral zone giveaways could lead to odd-man rushes. BC has an offensive-minded defense corps, so Maine’s backcheckers will have to make sure they pick up the Eagle defensemen jumping up into the play. Maine has an advantage in special teams play, but the Bears will have to be careful on the power play because Collins has five shorthanded goals.