Maine hockey vs. Boston University
Time, site: Friday and Saturday, 7 p.m.; Alfond Arena, Orono
Records: Maine 21-10-1 (13-7-1 Hockey East), BU 18-6-6 (14-2-4)
Series: BU leads 30-25-4
Key players: Maine – RW Steve Kariya (18 goals & 26 assists), RW Shawn Wansborough (16 & 20), RW Cory Larose (10 & 25), LW Reg Cardinal (13 & 18), C Trevor Roenick (14 & 13), D Jeff Libby (3 & 22), G Alfie Michaud (3.32 goals-against average, .855 save percentage, 14-8-1); Boston University – F Chris Drury (34 & 18), F Mike Sylvia (18 & 15), F Shawn Bates (13 & 13), F Billy Pierce (7 & 17), D Jon Coleman (3 & 21), G Michel Larocque (2.48, .911, 9-2-4)
Outlook: Maine defeated BU 3-1 at Boston a month ago, but both teams have been on a scoring hot streak. The Bears and Terriers are fourth and fifth, respectively, in scoring offense among Division I teams. The Bears have averaged 5 goals a game, the Terriers 4.6. Maine has won 10 of its last 11 games, while BU just had a five-game win streak end in their last game, a 5-5 tie with UMass-Lowell. But BU is coming off a six-day rest while the series will be Maine’s fourth and fifth games in nine days. Terrier Chris Drury, who is on a scoring streak with at least one goal in his last six games, leads Division I players in goals per game with 1.13.
Maine women vs. Boston University
Time, site: Friday, 7 p.m.; Case Gym, Boston
Records: Maine 17-7 (15-1 America East); BU 6-17 (2-14)
Series: Maine leads 21-13
Key players: Maine – 5-9 G Cindy Blodgett (25.3 ppg, 5.7 rpg, 3.9 apg, 3.1 spg), 6-4 F Jamie Cassidy (14.6 ppg, 7.4 rpg), 6-4 C Stacey Porrini (9.9 ppg, 9.3 rpg, 1.6 bpg), 5-7 G Amy Vachon (5.9 ppg, 4.1 apg, 2.0 spg), 6-0 F Klara Danes (5.2 ppg, 3.3 rpg); Boston University – 6-0 F Nicole Gourdet (13.8 ppg, 9.0 rpg, 2.0 bpg), 5-9 G Kelly Jo Gallagher (10.3 ppg, 4.4 rpg, 3.3 apg), 5-7 G Ashley Norris (9.0 ppg), 5-7 G Jamie Nicholls (6.2 ppg), 6-0 F Gina LaPlante (3.8 ppg)
Outlook: The Black Bears seek continued improvement in their defensive cohesiveness and offensive chemistry with a season-ending road trip to Boston. Maine has locked up home court for the America East Tournament and will play host to the No. 8 seed on March 2. The Terriers are trying to stay out of the cellar, but can’t avoid a Feb. 28 play-in contest on the road. Maine pounded BU 89-42 in their Jan. 4 meeting in Orono. The Bears are closing in on league season records for field goals, points, and field-goal percentage. Blodgett, who leads the nation in scoring, needs 12 steals to break her league mark of 63 set last season. BU has struggled offensively, averaging a league-worst 57.9 ppg. Maine ranks first at 78.0 ppg.
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