Penalty killing will be key in Hockey East semifinals between Maine and BU.

Defenseman David Breazeale is the key man on Maine's penalty kill. “Special teams definitely make a difference in the playoffs,” he says. Anna Chadwick/Morning Sentinel

ORONO — Four months ago, the University of Maine men's hockey team dominated Boston College in two regular season games. The Black Bears know there's one thing they have to improve on Friday night when they meet BU again in the Hockey East semifinals. It's a penalty kill.

The University of Maine (23-10-2), which lost by one goal to Boston College (25-8-2) in November, allowed the Terriers four runs on eight power-play chances. All three of BU's goals in a 3-2 win on Nov. 17 came on the power play. The next night, the Terriers won him 5-4, adding more power-play goals on three chances.

“Special teams definitely makes the difference in the playoffs,” said defenseman David Breazeale, a key man and captain on Maine's penalty kill.

Friday's game, scheduled for 7:30 p.m. at TD Garden in Boston, will be Maine's first appearance in the Hockey East semifinals since 2012. With a win, the Black Bears will advance to the conference championship game for the first time in 12 years. The first game is Friday against the winner of the University of Massachusetts vs. Boston College.

No matter what happens in the Hockey East Tournament, Maine awaits Sunday night's NCAA Selection Show, which will determine when and where it will play in its first NCAA Tournament in a decade.

First, the Black Bears have to rein in Boston College's sensational power play. The Terriers' power play ranks second in the nation behind Michigan State, with a scoring rate of 27.9 percent. In Hockey East, the Terriers were even better, converting power plays into goals 31.9% of the time.

BU freshman Maclin Celebrini, likely the No. 1 pick in June's NHL Draft, leads the Terriers with 11 power-play goals. Celebrini was honored Wednesday as Hockey East's Player of the Year and Rookie of the Year. Brothers Lane and Quinn Houston scored six goals on the power play for the Terriers, while Ryan Green and Shane LaChance each scored four goals.

Maine's Thomas Friel denied a passing lane during a game against the University of Massachusetts on March 8 in Orono. Anna Chadwick/Morning Sentinel

“They have five guys who can score from anywhere,” said forward Thomas Friel, one of Maine's top penalty killers. “I can't say there's one thing we're particularly focused on. It's just making sure we're on the same page and eliminating all options as much as possible.”

For Maine, that starts with staying outside the penalty box. In six of the past seven games, the Black Bears have committed penalties that lasted six minutes or less, including just two minutes in Saturday's 5-0 quarterfinal win over New Hampshire. There wasn't. In those seven games, Maine has conceded just three goals on the power play in 21 shorthanded situations. During the season, Maine ranked seventh out of 11 teams in the Hockey East in penalty kill situations.

“They have the talent, so they won't be able to prevent (BU) from getting a chance. They have a chance, they need to make the save,” Maine coach Ben Barr said. . “We've got to win faceoffs and get (the puck) down. Try to get pressure on them before they get in the zone, try to get pressure on them before they get in the zone. One or two more. We have to clear it, but we have two minutes left. Your penalty kill has some effect and that's it.”

Freshman Alvin Voyja has started in goal for Maine in the past seven games and will start Friday night's Hockey East semifinal against Boston University. Anna Chadwick/Morning Sentinel

Both Breazeale and Friel said communication is key on the penalty kill.

“That's probably something we've struggled with all season. I think we're starting to come into our own. We've gotten a lot more comfortable. I'm much more confident that we will do it,” Friel said.

Maine has also made changes to his net since the November game. Freshman Alvin Boja has started the Black Bears' last seven games and is expected to start Friday. Voyager made his collegiate debut in relief of Victor Ostman against BU on Nov. 18, making four saves in just over nine minutes of playing time.

“It's the attention to detail,” Breazeal said. “They're a highly skilled team with a very good power play. I think just locking in, making sure we understand our responsibilities and communicating on the ice. Their key players We will do our best to eliminate threats and prevent information from leaking to the outside world as much as possible.”

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