UMaine capsules

MEN’S HOCKEY

Maine vs. UMass

Time, site: Friday, 7 p.m., Mullins Center, Amherst, Mass.

Records: Maine 6-4-2 overall (2-1 Hockey East); UMass 6-6 (2-3 HE)

Series, last meeting: Maine leads 22-2-2, Maine 5-1 on Feb. 10

Key players: Maine – RW Niko Dimitrakos (7 goals, 10 assists), RW Colin Shields (11 & 4), C Tommy Reimann (4 & 11), C Martin Kariya (3 & 8), D Peter Metcalf (2 & 9), G Matt Yeats (3-3-1, 3.29 goals-against average, .859 save percentage), G Mike Morrison (3-1-1, 2.12, .925); UMass – RW Tim Turner (5 & 5), C Thomas Pock (4 & 5), RW Martin Miljko (4 & 5), C Greg Mauldin (3 & 3), D Samuli Jalkanen (2 & 4), D Toni Soderholm (0 & 6), G Mike Johnson (5-4, 2.18, .912)

Outlook: Maine has won the last nine meetings but the Bears will have their hands full with the young but vastly improved Minutemen, who have allowed only four goals in their last four games. Johnson was the league’s defensive player of the week with back-to-back shutouts over Vermont and Dartmouth that extended his shutout streak to 167 minutes, 11 seconds. Dimitrakos has goals in his last five games and his line, including Reimann and Lucas Lawson, has teamed up for 12 goals and 16 assists in six games. UMass’ power play has converted seven of its last 20 chances. Maine’s penalty-killers have allowed only two goals over the last 29 chances. UMass will skate at least eight freshmen and Maine will have at least six first-year players.

WOMEN’S BASKETBALL

RICE TOURNAMENT

Maine vs. No. 21 George Washington

Time, site: Friday, 6 p.m.; Autry Court, Houston, Texas

Records: Maine 2-2; George Washington 1-2

Series, last meeting: GW leads 2-0; GW won 68-65 on 11/22/96

Key players: Maine – 5-9 G Melissa Heon (12.8 ppg, 5.3 rpg, 2.3 apg), 5-7 G Missy Traversi (16.0 ppg, 3.8 apg, 2.0 spg), 6-0 F Monica Peterson (8.5 ppg, 8.3 rpg, 2.3 apg), 6-3 C Eva Moldre (4.3 ppg, 6.0 rpg, 3.0 bpg), 6-0 F Julie Veilleux (5.5 ppg, 5.0 rpg), 6-1 F Heather Ernest (6.0 ppg, 3.8 rpg, 1.0 spg); George Washington – 6-0 F Erica Lawrence (11.3 ppg, 4.3 rpg), 6-4 F/C Elena Vishniakova (10.3 ppg, 4.7 rpg), 6-4 C Ugo Oha (10.3 ppg, 5.7 rpg, 2.7 bpg), 5-11 G/F Cathy Joens (7.7 ppg), 5-5 G Marsheik Witherspoon (6.7 ppg, 5.7 apg, 2.0 spg), 5-9 G Lindsey Davidson (3.7 ppg, 4.3 rpg, 3.0 apg, 2.3 spg)

Outlook: The Bears are on the road for the first of two tournaments on consecutive weekends. This one begins with 21st-ranked GW, which is coming off an 88-57 drubbing at the hands of national power Tennessee. UMaine’s front line will again be tested by the likes of Vishniakova and shot-blocker Oha. The Bears should be riding the confidence of Saturday’s come-from-behind win over Xavier in Orono. Coach Sharon Versyp looks for Ernest to break out of her early season slump and complement improved senior Moldre and rookie standout Peterson. The Bears must cut down on their 21.3 turnovers per game, especially among the post players. GW, favored to win the West Division of the Atlantic 10, seems to boast good overall scoring balance.

MEN’S BASKETBALL

COCA-COLA SPARTAN CLASSIC

Maine vs. Lamar

Time, site: 8:20 p.m. Friday, Breslin Student Events Center, East Lansing, Mich.; Michigan State vs. Indiana-Purdue Fort Wayne, 6 p.m.

Records: Maine 0-5), Lamar (1-2)

Series, last meeting: First meeting

Key players: Maine – 7-0 C Justin Rowe (15.0 ppg, 9.2 4pg, 3.60 bpg), 6-4 F Rickey White (4.8 ppg, 5.0 rpg), 6-5 G Freddy Petkus (4.8 ppg, 2.8 4pg), 6-7 F Todd Tibbetts (2.4 ppg, 2.8 4pg), 6-2 G Derrick Jackson (4.8 ppg, 3.5 rpg); Lamar – 6-6 F Damany Hendrix (15.7 ppg, 7.7 rpg), 6-3 G Ron Austin (14.0 ppg, 2.3 rpg), 6-3 G Tyler Hackstadt (13.0 ppg, 2.0 rpg), 6-6 F Lewis Arline (11.3 ppg, 7.0 rpg), 6-3 G Eddie Robinson (9.7 ppg, 4.3 rpg)

Outlook: Simply put, the Black Bears are in big, big trouble. Errick Greene (14.0 ppg) won’t play thanks to a fractured xiphoid process (base of the sternum) he suffered in a car accident a week ago. Clayton Brown is out indefinitely with a fractured wrist he sustained in the same wreck. And while Jackson (also involved in the crash) made the trip to East Lansing, he may not play either. If he doesn’t suit up, that leaves the backcourt in the hands of Petkus (a shooter without natural point-guard skills) and unrecruited walk-on Jon Wallingford (who hasn’t played in a game and is primarily a practice player). After that, everyone’s a forward or center. That doesn’t bode well against any Division I opponent. If there is a bright spot, it’s this: Things may get easier when they face Division II IP-Fort Wayne in the consolation match, which is a virtual certainty.