FRIDAY’S GAMES

NORTHEAST REGIONAL at DCU Center, Worcester

Providence vs. Minn.-Duluth

Time: 4:30 p.m. TV: ESPN3

¦ 1. Providence (27-6-4) — The Friars won their first Frozen Four title a year ago. “We’re excited to be back on this stage,’’ coach Nate Leaman said at Thursday’s news conference at the DCU Center. “We knew it would be difficult to get back to this stage.’’

¦ 4. Minnesota-Duluth (18-15-5) — The Bulldogs are back in Worcester for a second time in as many years and will face the Friars for a 25th time since 1965, owning a 15-7-2 edge in the series.

BC vs. Harvard

8 p.m., ESPNU

¦ 2. Boston College (26-7-5) — Potent offense led by Bruins prospect Ryan Fitzgerald (44 points) and Colin White (41). Backed by towering netminder Thatcher Demko. Looking for fifth Frozen Four title since 2001.

¦ 3. Harvard (19-10-4) — Farewell tour for slick forward Jimmy Vesey, again a Hobey Baker finalist, who slammed home five game-winners this year (second on club to linemate Kyle Criscuolo’s eight).

MIDWEST REGIONAL at US Bank Arena, Cincinnati

North Dakota vs. Northeastern

2 p.m., ESPNU

¦ 1. North Dakota (30-6-4) — Rubbed out by BU in last year’s Frozen Four semis at the Garden. Making its 14th consecutive trip to the tournament.

¦ 4. Northeastern (22-13-5) — Hottest team in Division 1 with 13 straight victories after capturing Hockey East title Saturday. Only the Huskies’ fifth visit to tournament play, first since ’09.

Michigan vs. Notre Dame

5:30 p.m., ESPNU

¦ 2. Michigan (24-7-5) — The potent trio of Kyle Connor, J.T. Compher and Tyler Motte, all among the 10 finalists for the Hobey Baker, hold the top three spots for points per game in Division 1 with a combined total 183 points.

¦ 3. Notre Dame (19-10-7) — Having just announced their break from Hockey East for a new home in the Big Ten, the Irish will face Michigan for a 134th time, dating to 1923. The Blue hold a 74-54-5 advantage in the series.

SATURDAY’S GAMES

EAST REGIONAL at Times Union Center, Albany

Quinnipiac vs. RIT

4 p.m., ESPNU

¦ 1. Quinnipiac (29-3-7) — The Bobcats are No. 1 in the nation, now with 20 or more victories for a 13th time in the last 16 seasons. Made it to an all-Connecticut Frozen Four title game in 2013 and fell to Yale.

¦ 4. RIT (18-14-6) — Like Northeastern, reached tournament by winning its conference championship (Atlantic Hockey). Were on a 2-4-4 skid entering playoffs, now getting hot at right time.

UMass-Lowell vs. Yale

7:30 p.m., ESPN3

¦ 2. UMass-Lowell (24-9-5) — A matchup of arguably the two best defensive teams in the country could focus on the netminding duel between Lowell’s Kevin Boyle and Yale’s Alex Lyon.

¦ 3. Yale (19-8-4) — The Bulldogs have made the tournament for a third time in four years but they are anything but hot, having lost three straight, including a pair to Dartmouth in the ECAC quarterfinals.

WEST REGIONAL

Xcel Energy Center, St. Paul

St. Cloud State vs. Ferris State

3 p.m., ESPNews

¦ 1. St. Cloud State (31-8-1) — Senior defenseman Ethan Prow, a Hobey Baker finalist, finished with 37 points from the back line and will hit the market as an undrafted free agent — along with teammate and top scorer Kalle Kosilla (52 points).

¦ 4. Ferris State (19-14-6) — The Bulldogs allowed only one goal last weekend to capture the WCHA tourney. “Our confidence is high,’’ said coach Bob Daniels.

Denver vs. Boston University

6:30 p.m., ESPNU

¦ 2. Denver (23-9-6) — The Pioneers have lost only two games (16-2-4) in the calendar year. “We’ve grown immeasurably since then,’’ said coach Jim Montgomery, referring to an early-season loss to BU.

¦ 3. Boston University (21-12-5) — At times a frustrating season for the Terriers, especially on the road where they were 6-10-2, including the pair of losses at Lowell that knocked them out of the Hockey East quarterfinals. Looks like a very difficult route back to the title game.

KEVIN PAUL DUPONT