BLACK BEAR CLASSIC

Maine vs. New Brunswick (exhibition)

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

Records: Maine 0-0, UNB 0-0

Series, last meeting: Maine leads 10-2; Maine 11-1, Oct. 31, 1992

Key players: Maine (last year’s stats) – RW Colin Shields (29 goals, 17 assists), C Martin Kariya (16 & 28), C Robert Liscak (17 & 20), LW Tommy Reimann (12 & 23), LW Todd Jackson (7 & 21), D Francis Nault (6 & 17), G Jimmy Howard (1st year); New Brunswick – C Joe Gerbe (15 & 16), LW Todd Alexander (13 & 12), LW Ryan Walsh (6 & 8), C Eric Demers (1 & 2), D Kevin Werner (1 & 3), C Ryan Lindsay (redshirt last year), G Gene Chiarello (14-9-4, 3.25 goals-against average)

Outlook: Both teams will be missing a couple of key players as Maine will be without captain and LW Chris Heisten (suspension) and LW Lucas Lawson (bruised foot) while UNB will be minus 2001-2002’s second-leading scorer Craig Soke (suspension) and D Chris Van Dyk (knee). Maine will try to create a fast tempo, odd-man rushes, and transition opportunities. UNB will need to be disciplined and avoid taking penalties because coach Gardiner MacDougall knows Maine has traditionally had a good power play. UNB beat the University of Quebec-Trois-Rivieres 5-2 in an exhibition game. Linemates Walsh and Demers were on UNB’s top line two years ago, but are returning from injury- and illness-plagued seasons a year ago.

Lake Superior State vs. Quinnipiac

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

Records: Lake Superior State 0-0, Quinnipiac 1-0

Series, last meeting: first meeting

Key players (last year’s stats): Lake Superior State – C Jeremy Bachusz (6 goals, 14 assists), LW Aaron Davis (6 & 10), C Chris Peterson (2 & 9), D Ryan Reid (0 & 4), D Ryan Branham (0 & 3), G Matt Violin (4-11-2, 3.06 GAA, .913 save percentage), G Terry Denike (3-10, 3.60, .888); Quinnipiac – LW Brian Herbert (14 & 29), C Matt Craig (11 & 20), RW Chris White (12 & 18), D Matt Erhart (5 & 23), D Wade Winkler (4 & 20), D Dan Ennis (5 & 10), G Jamie Holden (15-7-3, 2.53, .916)

Outlook: Frank Anzalone is in his second year back with Lake Superior State – he guided them to their first NCAA championship in 1988 – and is rebuilding with 15 freshmen on his current roster. Ten of them played in a 4-1 exhibition win over Western Ontario and all four goals were scored by freshmen. The Lakers went 8-27-2 a year ago and have been picked to finish last in the CCHA in two preseason polls. Quinnipiac, picked to finish second in the MAAC, went 20-13-5 and won the MAAC tourney title to earn its first NCAA berth last season. Cornell ousted the Bobcats 6-1. The Bobcats, who beat Holy Cross 6-1 Tuesday behind Holden’s 47 saves, will be without third-leading scorer Ryan Morton (knee).