Men’s hockey
MAINE vs. NORTHEASTERN
Time, site: Friday, Saturday, 7 p.m., Matthews Arena, Boston
Records: Maine 8-20-6 (5-13-2 Hockey East); Northeastern 14-13-5 (8-8-4)
Series, last meeting: Maine leads 52-43-19, Maine 6-3 on 2/21/15
Key players: Maine — LW Blaine Byron (8 goals, 13 assists), LW Will Merchant (12 & 8), C Steven Swavely (9 & 10), C Cam Brown (6 & 11), D Dan Renouf (6 & 8), RW Andrew Tegeler (2 & 10), G Rob McGovern (2-11-3, 2.65 goals-against average, .911 save percentage); Northeastern — RW Zach Aston-Reese (10 & 20), LW Nolan Stevens (15 & 13), C John Stevens (8 & 17), RW Mike McMurtry (7 & 17), C Adam Gaudette (8 & 14), D Garret Cockerill (7 & 10), G Ryan Ruck (12-10-4, 2.20, .914)
Game notes: Ruck was named the Hockey East Rookie of the Week after stopping 39 of 42 shots in 5-2 and 4-1 victories over Connecticut. Nolan Stevens’ 16-point improvement over last year ties him for the fifth best in college hockey. NU’s top three scorers are linemates with Aston-Reese and the Stevens brothers so if that line remains intact, the Black Bears are going to have to make sure they keep an eye on them. They will also have to adapt to an ice surface that is five feet wider than their own. Nolan Stevens leads the Huskies in power-play goals (6) and game-winners (4). Northeastern has the nation’s No. 15 power play (20.4 percent efficiency). Four of the last 11 games between these two teams have ended in ties. They are 2-2-2 in their last six meetings. NU has won five in a row overall, outscoring opponents 23-6, and is 13-2-3 after a 1-11-2 start. Maine snapped a five-game losing streak with its 3-2 overtime win over Merrimack last Saturday.