UMaine capsules

MEN’S HOCKEY

MAINE VS. BOSTON UNIVERSITY

Time, site: Saturday, 7 p.m., Walter Brown Arena, Boston

Records (entering Friday games): Maine 7-1-1 overall (2-0 in Hockey East), Boston University 5-3-2 (3-3)

Series, last meeting: BU leads 37-36-6, Maine 4-3 on March 24

Key players: Maine – C Marty Kariya (2 & 10), C Robert Liscak (3 & 8), RW Colin Shields (9 & 1), LW Chris Heisten (7 & 2), D Troy Barnes (2 & 7), D Francis Nault (1 & 6), G Jim Howard (5-1, 1.09, .950); Boston University – LW Justin Maiser (5 & 5), C Brian McConnell (4 & 5), RW John Sabo (6 & 3), RW Frantisek Skladany (1 & 6), D Bryan Miller (1 & 4), D Freddy Meyer (0 & 6), G Sean Fields (4-2-2, 2.80, .895)

Outlook: BU will be eager to avenge last year’s loss in the NCAA Tournament’s quarterfinals. These teams are similar. The Terriers have an experienced goalie in junior Fields but Maine’s first-year tandem of Jim Howard and Doyle have been outstanding. Maine will have to keep an eye on the Maiser-McConnell-Sabo line and handle BU’s physical presence. The Terriers will finish their checks all over the ice and that helps gets their sold-out crowd into the game. Maine must match BU’s intensity and keep its composure. BU is so aggressive on the forecheck, if the Bears can make crisp break-out passes, they will wind up with some odd-man rushes. They will need to convert those opportunities.

WOMEN’S BASKETBALL

MAINE VS. NOR’EASTER STORM

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

Records: Maine (1-0, exhib.); Nor’Easter Storm (not available)

Key players: Maine – 6-1 F Heather Ernest (12.8 ppg, 7.2 rpg last season), 5-7 G Missy Traversi (10.3 ppg, 3.1 apg), 6-1 G/F Julie Veilleux (6.8 ppg, 5.2 rpg), 5-7 G Kim Corbitt (7.0 ppg), 5-11 F Monica Peterson (9.1 ppg, 8.1 rpg), 5-9 G Melissa Heon (10.6 ppg, 4.1 rpg, 2.5 apg, 1.7 spg); Nor’Easter Storm – 6-3 C Kristen McCory (13.5 ppg, 4.5 rpg), 6-3 F Danielle Chaisson (10.0 ppg, 4.3 rpg), 5-7 G Kristin Penny (10.0 ppg, 2.3 spg), 5-10 F Kristen Skoglund (7.3 ppg, 3.0 spg), 5-11 F Tula Kofitsas (6.0 ppg, 3.0 rpg), 6-3 C Yolanda Rayside (4.5 ppg, 3.5 rpg)

Outlook: The Bears get their final tuneup before the Nov. 22 opener at Dartmouth. UMaine is trying to establish consistency and chemistry within its young, talented team. The experienced Storm comes in with seven games under its belt against the likes of Holy Cross, Rhode Island and Hartford. The Storm is composed of former college players, including McCory (Syracuse), Rayside (UMass), Chaisson (Bentley), Penny and Skoglund (both from St. Anselm). UMaine’s post players will get a good test in this one, while the Bears want to force the tempo by pressing and running. UMaine seeks improvement in its half-court offensive execution.

MEN’S BASKETBALL

Maine vs. Connecticut Stars

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

Records: Connecticut (0-2), Maine (1-0, exhibition)

Key players: Maine – 6-7 F Clayton Brown (10.3 ppg, 4.8 rpg, last season), 7-0 C Justin Rowe (12.6 ppg, 8.0 rpg, 4.0 blocks), 6-2 G Derrick Jackson (6.3 ppg, 2.2 rpg), 6-4 F Rickey White (8.2 ppg, 5.9 rpg), 6-1 G Kevin Reed, 6-2 G Eric Dobson; Connecticut Stars – 6-8 F Edmund Saunders (16.5 ppg, 7.5 rpg), 6-3 G-F Phil Lott (17.0 ppg, 5.0 rpg), 6-8 F Keith Bullock (13.0 ppg), 5-11 G Troy Bradford (15.0 ppg)

Outlook: Coach John Giannini saw a lot to like during his team’s first exhibition game against G.T. Express as Maine executed well on the boards and in transition. Last years biggest question mark, the backcourt, looked solid early as newcomers Reed and Dobson combined to shoot 67 percent (12-for-18) from the field and ran the offense well, along with Jackson, against a variety of defensive sets. Giannini is still trying to figure out the best combinations and rotations for his regulars.The Connecticut Stars, who features good size in the frontcourt, has lost to Fairfield 97-70 and South Florida 97-59.