Maine vs. New Hampshire

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

Records: Maine 15-7-4 overall (9-3-2 Hockey East); UNH 19-4-2 (11-2-2 HE)

Series, last meeting: Maine leads 43-31-4; UNH won 4-1 on Dec. 1, 2001

Key players: Maine – RW Colin Shields (20 goals, 9 assists), RW Niko Dimitrakos (13 & 15), C Martin Kariya (11 & 16), D Peter Metcalf (3 & 22), C Robert Liscak (12 & 12), C Tommy Reimann (8 & 16), G Mike Morrison (12-2-2, 1.95 GAA, .934 save percentage); UNH – C Darren Haydar (24 & 31), RW Colin Heminway (19 & 24), LW Sean Collins (16 & 17), LW Lanny Gare (8 & 19), C Josh Prudden (12 & 12), D Garrett Stafford (4 & 12), G Michael Ayers (10-2, 2.31, .913)

Outlook: UNH has won 10 of its last 11. Maine is 6-1-1 in its last eight. Both have won four straight. UNH has outscored its opponents 30-2 in the third period over its last nine games. Maine has a 39-11 edge in the first period. Maine will have to stay out of the penalty box because UNH has one of the best power plays in the country (29.7 percent). Collins leads the nation with 11 power-play goals and is the nation’s top freshman point-getter. Liscak has produced game-winning points in the last four games. Haydar leads the nation in scoring and five other offensive categories. He has a 17-game points streak. Maine will be without centers Chris Heisten (ankle) and Michael Schutte (shoulder) along with winger Donny Richardson (thumb). Sophomore Ayers will make his first start against Maine. Ayers and Morrison were Hockey East co-goaltenders of the month.