MAINE men vs. WESTERN MICHIGAN

Time, site: Friday, Saturday, 7:05 p.m.; Lawson Rink, Kalamazoo, Mich.

Records: Maine 2-2, Western Michigan 2-2

Series, last meeting: Maine leads 1-0, Maine 4-1 on 12/19/92

Key players: Maine – RW Colin Shields (5 goals, 1 assist), RW Todd Jackson (2 & 2), RW Niko Dimitrakos (1 & 3), C Marty Kariya (0 & 3), D Peter Metcalf (0 & 3), G Mike Morrison (1-0, 1.99 goals-against average, .950 save percentage); G Matt Yeats (1-2, 3.25, .860); Western Michigan – C Mike Bishai (0 & 8), C Dana Lattery (1 & 4), RW Jeff Campbell (1 & 3), LW Pat Dwyer (3 & 0), D Mike Jarmuth (1 & 2), D Dave Cousineau (2 & 0), G Mike Mantua (2-1, 3.29, .875)

Outlook: The Broncos return 18 lettermen off a 20-13-6 team and have already posted a 3-1 win over Michigan at Lawson Rink last weekend. Second team All-American Bishai led the nation in scoring a year ago by averaging 1.85 points per game. Linemate Campbell scored 26 goals as a freshman. Maine will be without defenseman Francis Nault (knee sprain), but top returning goal scorer Mike Schutte and effective checking line winger Gray Shaneberger will return from shoulder and rib injuries, respectively. The Bears will have to keep an eye on Bishai, who is a speedy and creative playmaker. The Bears will need to backcheck tenaciously because the Broncos like to run-and-gun. That will also lead to odd-man rushes for Maine. Maine’s blue-liners will need to make simple plays to get the puck out of the defensive zone.

MAINE women vs. NEW HAMPSHIRE

Time, site: Friday, 7 p.m., Saturday, 3 p.m., Alfond Arena, Orono

Records: Maine 2-0; New Hampshire 1-1

Series, last meeting: New Hampshire leads 6-0; UNH 5-2 on 11/12/00

Key players: Maine – LW Meagan Aarts (3 goals, 0 assists), RW Karen Droog (2 & 1), D LeeAnne Irwin (1 & 2), C Nicole Munro (2 & 0), D Kelly Nelson (0 & 2), G Dawn Froats (1-0, 2.00 goals-against average, .920 save percentage), G Amanda Cronin (1-0, 1.00, .938); New Hampshire – RW Carolyn Gordon (0 & 5), C Randi MacMaster (2 & 2), C Kira Misikowetz (1 & 2), LW Steph Jones (2 & 0), D Kristen Thomas (0 & 2), D Allison Edgar (1 & 0), G Jen Huggon (1-1, 3.42, .887)

Outlook: The depleted Bears will skate only three lines and five defensemen on Friday night before regaining winger Cindy Biron’s services on Saturday. UNH was the preseason favorite to win the new Women’s Eastern Hockey League in the coaches poll while Maine was picked fifth. UNH split with Ohio State last weekend while Maine swept Colgate. Thomas scored three goals in the two wins over Maine last year and the Bears will have to key on the gifted offensive-minded blue-liner. UNH cycles the puck effectively in the offensive zone, so Maine will have to protect the front of its net. Maine will also have to control its emotions in this bitter rivalry. UNH will have to avoid taking the Bears lightly since the Wildcats have never lost to them. Ohio State outshot UNH 62-46 over the weekend series.