Men’s Hockey

ICEBREAKER CUP TOURNAMENT

MAINE vs. BOWLING GREEN

Time, site: Friday, 7 p.m. Alfond Arena, Orono

Records: Maine 0-0, Bowling Green 0-0

Series, last meeting: Maine leads 7-1; Maine 6-2 on Dec. 30, 1992

Key players (last year’s stats): Maine – C Martin Kariya (12 goals, 24 assists), LW Michael Schutte (15 & 10), RW Niko Dimitrakos (11 & 14), C Chris Heisten (5 & 19), D Peter Metcalf (5 & 9), D Francis Nault (2 & 11), G Matt Yeats (18-9-4, 2.40 goals-against average, .897 save percentage); Bowling Green – C Greg Day (20 & 27), LW Scott Hewson (9 & 19), RW D’Arcy McConvey (4 & 15), D Marc Barlow (5 & 12), D Kevin Bieksa (4 & 9), C Grady Moore (3 & 8), G Tyler Masters (16-17-4, 2.47, .922)

Outlook: The Falcons return four of their top five scorers and workhorse goalie Masters, whose .922 save percentage was second best in the CCHA last year. Bowling Green was 16-19-5 a year ago, but was 14-10-1 over its last 25 games. Maine will try to create a fast tempo and get traffic in front of McMasters. Bowling Green will look to take advantage of Maine’s inexperience on defense with an aggressive forecheck. A sustained forecheck will also negate Maine’s speed. The Bears, 20-12-7 a year ago and an NCAA Tournament quarterfinalist, looked more explosive than they have in years in their 8-0 exhibition win over Moncton last weekend. Former Maine head coach Shawn Walsh, who died of kidney cancer on Sept. 24, was a Bowling Green alum. The Tim Whitehead era begins as the interim head coach mans the Bear bench for the first time officially.

ST. CLOUD STATE vs. CLARKSON

Time, site: Friday, 4 p.m., Alfond Arena, Orono

Records: St. Cloud State 0-0, Clarkson 0-0

Series, last meeting: Clarkson leads 2-1, St. Cloud 6-2 on Nov. 5, 1988

Key players: St. Cloud State – C Mark Hartigan (27 & 21), W Jon Cullen (14 & 26), C-W Joe Motzko (17 & 20), W Nate DiCasmirro (9 & 20), D Derek Eastman (7 & 17), D Jeff Finger (4 & 5), G Dean Weasler (3-0, 1.88 GAA, .921 save percentage); Clarkson – RW Matt Poapst (17 & 18), C David Evans (12 & 19), LW Rob McFeeters (15 & 15), C Kevin O’Flaherty (8 & 20), D Dave Reid (5 & 20), D Kerry Ellis-Toddington (4 & 18), G Mike Walsh (15-4-1, 1.86, .922)

Outlook: St. Cloud lost its top two scorers and its standout goalie off last year’s WCHA Tournament championship team. The Huskies were NCAA Tournament quarterfinalists, going 31-9-1. That represented the best record in school history. They allowed only 94 goals, a team record. Clarkson went 21-11-3 and won the ECAC regular season championship only to be upset by Vermont in the ECAC quarterfinals. That ultimately cost the Knights an NCAA Tournament berth. This should be a physical game. Clarkson has a more experienced goalie, but the Huskies may have the edge up front and on defense.