Men’s Hockey

Maine vs. Mercyhurst

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

Records: Maine 3-1-1, Mercyhurst 1-2-1

Series, last meeting: first meeting

Key players: Maine – RW Colin Shields (5 goals, 1 assist), LW Todd Jackson (2 & 3), C Martin Kariya (1 & 4), D Francis Nault (1 & 4), LW Lucas Lawson (2 & 2), G Jimmy Howard (2-1, 1.42 goals-against average, .934 save percentage), G Frank Doyle (1-0-1, 2.88, .891); Mercyhurst – LW David Wrigley (1 & 3), RW Mike Carter (1 & 3), RW Peter Rynshoven (1 & 3), D T.J. Kemp (2 & 1), LW Adam Tackaberry (no points), G Matt Cifelli (0-1-1, 2.88, .914), G Andy Franck (1-1, 2.02, .922)

Outlook: Mercyhurst is the preseason pick to win the MAAC and returns eight of its top 10 scorers off last year’s 24-10-3 team. Tackaberry was the second-leading scorer with 15 goals and 18 assists. The Lakers made the NCAA tourney two years ago and lost a heart-breaker to Michigan 4-3. Maine will look to improve its play in the defensive zone and develop a more productive power play. The Lakers will need to do a thorough job without the puck, play with poise, and receive topnotch goaltending from Cifelli and Franck. Maine can’t afford to take the Lakers lightly. Maine senior LW and captain Chris Heisten has a three-game goal-scoring streak and freshman RW Greg Moore is out with a slightly separated shoulder.