MEN’S HOCKEY

Maine vs. Merrimack

Time, site: Saturday, 7 p.m.; Volpe Complex Arena, No. Andover, Mass.

Records (not including Friday night games): Maine 16-7-5 (10-3-3 Hockey East); Merrimack 8-17-2 (3-12-2)

Series, last meeting: Maine leads 38-7-3, Maine 5-3 on Jan .19, 2001

Key players: Maine – RW Niko Dimitrakos (14 goals, 18 assists), RW Colin Shields (20 & 10), C Martin Kariya (12 & 17), C Tommy Reimann (10 & 17), D Peter Metcalf (4 & 23), D Francis Nault (3 & 11), G Mike Morrison (13-2-3, 2.00 goals-against average, .932); Merrimack – RW Anthony Aquino (19 & 13), LW Ryan Cordeiro (15 & 12), LW Nick Parillo (5 & 21), C Marco Rosa (4 & 17), RW Matt Foy (6 & 14), D Greg Lauze (4 & 9), G Jason Wolfe (2-2-1, 2.92, .915)

Outlook: Merrimack visited Northeastern Friday while Maine played at Boston College. Maine swept the Warriors 5-1, 5-3 three weeks ago but Merrimack was without Cordeiro (sprainked ankle) and Foy (two-game suspension). Merrimack has some speedy first-rate forwards, led by the always-dangerous Aquino, so the Bears are going to have to play smothering team defense. The Warriors have had problems keeping the puck out of their net, allowing four or more goals in four of their last five games. Merrimack had lost five straight and gone 1-6-2 in its previous nine games before Friday. Maine was 5-0-2 in its previous seven games. Merrimack gave Maine fits in North Andover a year ago. Maine won a 5-4 overtime game and tied 1-1 the next night last season.

WOMEN’S BASKETBALL

Maine vs. Stony Brook

Time, site: Saturday, 1 p.m.; Alfond Arena, Orono

Records: Maine 11-9 (4-5 America East), Stony Brook 12-7 (5-3)

Series, last meeting: Stony Brook leads 2-0; SBU won 60-52 on Jan. 6

Key players: Maine – 6-1 F Heather Ernest (13.0 ppg, 7.0 rpg), 5-7 G Missy Traversi (10.5 ppg, 2.9 apg), 5-9 G Melissa Heon (9.4 ppg, 4.0 rpg, 2.6 apg, 1.9 spg), 6-0 F Monica Peterson (8.9 ppg, 8.0 rpg), 5-7 G Kim Corbitt (7.2 ppg, 3.1 rpg, 2.5 apg), 6-1 G/F Julie Veilleux (7.1 ppg, 5.7 rpg); Stony Brook – 5-11 F Sherry Jordan (16.4 ppg, 8.1 rpg, 2.2 apg, 3.0 spg), 5-6 G Theresa LoParrino (13.2 ppg, 2.8 apg), 6-0 F Danielle DeGiorgio (9.8 ppg, 5.4 rpg), 6-1 C Jill George (9.2 ppg, 10.2 rpg), 5-7 G Erika Shipley (8.5 ppg, 3.7 rpg, 2.2 apg)

Outlook: The Bears look to rediscover their winning chemistry against the scrappy Seawolves. UMaine has lost three of four and has been experiencing too many defensive breakdowns. Stony Brook, which has dropped three of five, thrives on rebounding and getting to the foul line. Behind play of George and Jordan, the Seawolves lead AE with 14.5 offensive rebounds per game. They also average a league-low 16.5 turnovers. UMaine must limit penetration by Jordan and LoParrino while checking out on George underneath. The Bears can’t afford to get into a run-and-gun game and look to bottle up the middle and force the ‘Wolves to score from the perimeter. UMaine needs tenacious team defense and balanced offense to play at its best.

MEN’S BASKETBALL

Maine vs. Stony Brook

Time, site: 1 p.m. Sunday, Alfond Arena, Orono

Records: Maine 9-12 (6-4 America East) before Friday’s game, Stony Brook 3-18 (2-8)

Series, last meeting: Maine leads 4-0; Maine won 68-65 on Jan. 6

Key players: Maine – 6-3 G Errick Greene (18.6 ppg, 6.0 rpg before Friday’s game), 7-0 C Justin Rowe (13.6 ppg, 8.7 rpg, 4.19 bpg), 6-7 F Clayton Brown (11.7 ppg, 4.8 rpg), 6-2 Derrick Jackson (7.8 ppg, 1.9 rpg), 6-6 F Joe Campbell (7.2 ppg, 3.8 rpg); Stony Brook – 6-3 G Dawud Munir (18.2 ppg, 4.0 rpg), 6-8 F Mike Konopka (9.0 ppg, 3.6 rpg), 6-5 G/F Mike Orfini (6.9 ppg, 3.4 rpg), 6-5 F Jairus McCollum (6.7 ppg, 3.8 rpg), 6-8 F J.B. Bennett (6.2 ppg, 5.9 rpg)

Outlook: The Seawolves were in last place in America East entering a Friday night game at New Hampshire, but the Bears can’t afford to look past their foes: Despite losing four straight games, Stony Brook has only fallen short by an average of 6.8 points during that span. Munir has fired up 125 3-point attempts in 21 games, but he can drive and finish and those skills have enabled him to get to the free throw line often, where he’s 82-for-92. The Bears will be playing their fourth game in eight days and face more traditional rivals New Hampshire and Vermont in Orono in the coming week. They’re ripe for a letdown after Friday’s clash against BU, and must guard against it.