Maine men vs. Massachusetts

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

Records: Maine 5-1-1 (0-0 Hockey East); UMass 2-3 (1-2)

Series, last meeting: Maine leads 25-2-2; Maine 7-0 on 2/23/02

Key players: Maine – C Marty Kariya (2 goals, 8 assists), LW Chris Heisten (7 & 2), C Robert Liscak (2 & 7), RW Colin Shields (7 & 1), D Troy Barnes (2 & 5), D Francis Nault (1 & 5), G Jim Howard (3-1, 1.05 goals-against average, .949 save percentage) UMass – C Matt Anderson (2 & 2), D Jeff Lang (1 & 2), RW Tim Turner (1 & 2), D Nick Kuiper (2 & 0), LW Greg Mauldin (1 & 1), W-D Thomas Pock (1 & 1), G Gabe Winer (2-2, 2.76, .865)

Outlook: The Minutemen have been playing as many as 16 freshmen and sophomores. Two of their losses have been in overtime. They are coming off a 5-3 road win over Northeastern. UMass, which has never won in Orono, has used the neutral zone trap in the past but has more talent and speed now, so the Minutemen will forecheck aggressively if they get the chance. Maine must make short, precise passes against the trap and avoid turning the puck over. That would fuel UMass’ transition. Maine has three shutouts in its last four games at the Alfond Arena. Neither coach would commit on their starting goalie but Howard has two consecutive shutouts and Winer was the Hockey East Rookie of the Week. Maine LW Derek Damon is out with a sprained ankle, but RW Greg Moore will return from a separated shoulder.

Maine women vs. Providence

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

Records: Maine 2-2 (0-2 Hockey East); Providence 2-3-1 (1-0)

Series, last meeting: PC leads 8-0-2; PC 5-3 on 3/9/02

Key players: Maine – LW Meagan Aarts (2 & 2), RW Karen Droog (2 & 1), C Jarin Sjogren (1 & 2), C Cheryl White (0 & 2), D Raffi Wolf (0 & 2), G Lara Smart (1-1, 0.50 GAA, .978 save percentage); Providence – C Jenn Butsch (2 & 5), C Danielle Culgin (3 & 3), D Kelli Halcisak (2 & 3), RW Rush Zimmerman (2 & 3), RW Darlene Stephenson (3 & 1), D Meredith Roth (1 & 3), G Jana Bugden (2-2-1, 2.05, .913)

Outlook: The Friars were the preseason favorite to win Hockey East. They won the ECAC championship last season and have 16 letterwinners back. Maine scored just once while being swept at the University of New Hampshire last weekend (5-1, 1-0). Maine coach Rick Filighera said his team has to drive to the net more aggressively and win more one-on-one battles for the puck. He has separated Droog and Aarts, 25-goal scorers a year ago, to try to get more balanced scoring and prevent teams from putting a checking line on them. Bob Deraney’s hard-working Friars are a big, physical team with lots of skill. They are well-balanced. Two of their three losses came to defending two-time NCAA champion Minnesota-Duluth. These are Maine’s only two home games until Jan. 6.