BOSTON --- It will be the first Hockey East Tournament semifinals without a Boston team in the 30 year history of the league. The first semifinal will feature defending champion UMass Lowell taking on league newcomer Notre Dame.

The nightcap will be a battle between Providence and New Hampshire, two teams that clashed in last year's tournament quarterfinals. The Friars won that series in three games, and this marks the third season in a row that Providence has advanced to the TD Garden, a program first.

New Hampshire is the only team out of the four that likely needs to win two games this weekend to extend its season. The other three teams are a mere lock to make the NCAA Tournament.

TEAM CAPSULES

No. 2 UMass Lowell

No. 3 Providence

No. 4 New Hampshire

No. 8 Notre Dame

Location Lowell, Mass. Providence, RI Durham, NH South Bend, Ind. Record 23-10-4 (11-6-3) 21-9-6 (11-7-2) 21-17-1 (11-9-0) 23-13-2 (9-9-2) Past Hockey East tournament titles 2013 1985, 1996 2002, 2003 Season Series W 1-0, W 3-1 vs. ND L 2-3 (OT), W 4-2 vs. UNH W 3-2 (OT), L 2-4 vs. PC L 0-1, L 1-3 vs. UML Head coach Norm Bazin (UMass Lowell '94) Nate Leaman (Cortland '97) Dick Umile (UNH '72) Jeff Jackson (Michigan State '78) Captain Josh Holmstrom Shamanski/Hart Eric Knodel Jeff Costello Leading scorer Joe Pendenza (25) Ross Mauermann (34) Kevin Goumas (50) T.J. Tynan (37) Top goal scorer Joe Pendenza (13) Ross Mauermann (19) Nick Sorkin (20) Rust/Lucia (16) Assists leader Zack Kamrass (15) Nick Saracino (17) Kevin Goumas (33) T.J. Tynan (29) Starting goalie Connor Hellebuyck (1.87/.938) Jon Gillies (2.17/.930) Casey DeSmith (2.39/.920) Steven Summerhays (1.95/.928) Goals per game 2.70 (4th) 2.50 (6th) 3.20 (2nd) 2.15 (T-8th) Goals against 2.15 (3rd) 2.45 (6th) 2.55 (7th) 2.00 (T-1st) Power play pct. 21.3 (3rd) 8.9 (11th) 24.0 (2nd) 12.4 (7th) Penalty kill pct. 81.0 (10th) 84.3 (4th) 82.8 (6th) 83.5 (5th) NHL Draft picks 3 5 2 11

Jeff Cox covers college, junior and high school hockey, NCAA recruiting and NHL Draft prospects. Follow him on twitter @JeffCoxSBNation.