Every hockey team needs a hard-nosed, grinding line.

They finish their checks all over the ice and can wear down opposing defensemen.

They are a pain to play against.

They can also force turnovers because opponents know they’re going to get hit as soon as they touch the puck. That results in hurried decisions.

Brent Shepheard, Rob Bellamy and David de Kastrozza are Maine’s most physical forwards and they played together for the first time this season in the East Regional.

“Hockey is a physical game and that line made a big impact on how we played at the regional. They took hits, gave hits, created space and they intimidated the other team,” Maine coach Tim Whitehead said. “They’re a big reason we’re going to the Frozen Four.”

Maine plays the first national semifinal at 4 p.m. Thursday against Michigan State at the Scottrade Center in St. Louis. Boston College battles North Dakota in second game at 8 p.m. The winners play for the national title on Saturday at 7 p.m. The semifinals are on ESPN2-TV and the final on ESPN-TV.

Maine’s physical line teamed up for Bellamy’s first goal of the season in the 4-1 win over St. Cloud State and it was solid in the 3-1 victory over UMass. They didn’t allow a goal in either game and made their presence felt.

Shepheard also had a power- play goal against St. Cloud State.

“We hadn’t had a hitting line all year long,” said senior left wing and assistant captain Josh Soares. “We had guys who hit here or there. Now they’ve solidified themselves in that role. They did a great job the last two games for us.

“They didn’t turn over the puck. They made great hits all over the ice and they put the puck in the net. That’s what you need from a line like that. It’s just great to see,” said Soares.

Senior Shepheard is the left wing on the line with freshman de Kastrozza at center and junior Bellamy at right wing. Shepheard is 6-foot, 195 pounds; de Kastrozza is 6-3, 200 and Bellamy is 6-1, 205.

“We try to bring a lot of energy, speed and grit. That’s what the team needs [from us],” said Bellamy. “We aren’t necessarily a scoring line.

” Our main job is not to get beat in our defensive end. We all do our defensive jobs pretty well and when we score, it’s a bonus for us. It obviously lifts the team,” said Bellamy.

Shepheard added, “We want to take the body as much as we can. Hopefully, we’ll wear down the other team; the other guys on our team will see that and there will be a trickle down affect. Everybody will start hitting. When our team is physical, that’s when we dominate the most.”

Bellamy and Shepheard were linemates for the second half of last season with senior Jon Jankus centering them.

“We’re like that line a little bit. [de Kastrozza] brings a lot of energy like Jankus did last year. He can hit. It’s been good,” said Bellamy.

Bellamy said they told de Kastrozza before the regional “don’t take a shift off and don’t be scared to make a play. He took our advice and really had a great weekend.”

The trio had only a couple of practice days together.

“Once they put us together, we clicked a little bit,” said de Kastrozza. “We definitely play old-time hockey. We aren’t finesse players. We dump the puck in, chase it, hit, get someone in front of the net and get the puck to the net.”

The freshman, who had played wing before being moved to center, said Shepheard and Bellamy made him feel comfortable.

“They didn’t chirp on me or get on my back about anything so I didn’t feel nervous out there,” said de Kastrozza.

“We knew Dave hadn’t played a lot of center so Coach [Whitehead] said keep things simple and communicate as much as you can,” said Shepheard. “Hopefully, we can play well again Thursday [against Michigan State] and get a chance to play Saturday. Maybe we can contribute again on the scoresheet.”

Senior center Michel Leveille said he had wondered why de Kastrozza had been a healthy scratch for 12 of the 15 games leading into the regional.

“I was always impressed by him. He’s quick and physical. He complements that line really well,” said Leveille.

Sophomore defenseman Matt Duffy said they’re a type of line “that gets under the other team’s skin. They forced some mistakes and drew some penalties. They’re good for us. They set the tone right away.”

Duffy has good NCAA numbers

Windham’s Duffy has been clutch in the NCAA Tournament.

In just five NCAA games, he has two goals and two assists.

“I don’t score much but it seems when I do, it’s important. Hopefully, I’ll get the puck to the net [in the Frozen Four] and get some points,” said Duffy, who also had a game-winning goal in an important 4-2 win over New Hampshire in Manchester, N.H., this season.

He now has eight goals and 10 assists in 66 career games.

He gained confidence with a goal and two assists in three tournament games a year ago and added a clinching power- play goal in the 3-1 win over UMass 10 days ago.

“I feel a lot more comfortable out there now. They had been juggling defense pairs but they have me with [senior] Mike Lundin now. That has made it easy on me,” said Duffy.

Hopson returns to practice

Junior center-turned-defenseman Keenan Hopson returned to practice Monday.

Hopson had an emergency appendectomy two weeks ago and missed the East Regional.

He didn’t have contact Monday but will have full contact today.

“It’s awesome to have him back,” said Whitehead. “He brings a lot to the table. He will strengthen our defense corps with his hockey sense and defensive ability. He was a great addition to the defense corps and he also gives us the option to put him at center if we need to.”

Hopson had seven goals and 15 assists in 37 games. He played two games on defense before undergoing the appendectomy.