MEN’S HOCKEY

EVERBLADES COLLEGE HOCKEY CLASSIC

MAINE vs. CORNELL

Time, site: Saturday, 7:30 p.m.; TECO Arena, Estero, Fla.

Records: Maine 13-1-2, Cornell 10-1

Series, last meeting: Cornell leads 6-3-2; Maine won 2-1 on 12/28/00

Key players: Maine – C Martin Kariya (5 goals, 16 assists), C Robert Liscak (7 & 12), RW Colin Shields (13 & 5), LW Chris Heisten (9 & 7), D Francis Nault (4 & 10), D Cliff Loya (0 & 5), G Frank Doyle (4-0-2, 1.54 goals-against average, .938 save percentage); Cornell – C Ryan Vesce (8 & 9), RW Stephen Baby (2 & 13), RW Shane Palahicky (4 & 9), D Doug Murray (1 & 11), D Mark McRae (5 & 5), G Todd Marr, G Louis Chabot

Outlook: Maine is ranked first in one national poll and second in another while Cornell is third in both. Both teams will be without goalies who are playing in the World Junior Championships in Nova Scotia. Maine’s Jimmy Howard is with the U.S. team while Cornell’s Dave LeNeveu is with Team Canada. LeNeveu has played every minute for Cornell this season. These are the two stingiest teams in the country as Cornell has given up 1.36 goals per game and Maine has surrendered 1.56 gpg. Cornell and Maine are second and third in penalty-killing. Cornell has won six straight while Maine is 12-0-2 in its last 14. Cornell gives up only 20.5 shots on goal per game, but Maine is averaging 33.6 and will try to attack the net, especially facing an inexperienced goalie. Baby has a six-game points streak (2-8-10) and Vesce has a five-gamer (5-5-10), while Shields (4-1-5) and Kariya (1-4-5) have four-game streaks for Maine. Cornell’s start is its best since 1969-70; Maine is off to its best start since 1994-95. The winner will play the winner of today’s 4:30 p.m. game between Ohio State (12-4-1) and Massachusetts (10-6) at 8 p.m. Sunday. The other two teams will play in the 5 p.m. consolation game.

WOMEN’S BASKETBALL

LA SALLE INVITATIONAL

MAINE vs. HOLY CROSS

Time, site: Saturday, 4:30 p.m.; Gola Arena, Philadelphia, Pa.

Records: Maine 4-3; Holy Cross 4-3

Series, last meeting: Holy Cross leads 4-2; UM won 83-71 on 12/11/91

Key players: Maine – 6-1 F Heather Ernest (18.3 ppg, 11 rpg), 5-9 G Melissa Heon (12.4 ppg, 4.6 rpg, 3.9 apg, 2.6 spg), 6-4 C Abby Schrader (9.1 ppg, 6.4 rpg), 5-7 G Missy Traversi (8.9 ppg), 6-1 G/F Julie Veilleux (7.4 ppg, 7.0 rpg), 5-11 F Monica Peterson (6.0 ppg, 6.0 rpg); Holy Cross – 6-2 C Katie O’Keefe (14.9 ppg, 4.6 rpg, 1.9 spg), 5-11 F Maggie Fontana (13.2 ppg, 7.0 rpg, 2.1 spg), 5-11 G Liz O’Connor (11.1 ppg, 5.0 rpg, 2.9 apg, 1.6 apg), 5-3 G Sarah Placek (7.0 ppg, 3.0 apg), 5-11 F Mary Campbell (2.9 ppg, 7.0 rpg, 2.3 apg, 1.4 spg)

Outlook: The Bears look to build on recent wins at Rhode Island and Bradley against the Crusaders, the perennial Patriot League champs. UMaine has been sparked by Ernest, who has been complemented well in the post by freshman Schrader. Holy Cross should present a tough test as the Crusaders’ three losses have come against teams ranked in the top 21. Both teams have been playing strong defense, with HC having allowed only 59 ppg. UMaine will be playing its fifth and sixth consecutive road games in the tourney, which also includes host La Salle and Robert Morris (Pa.). The Bears are striving to establish a consistent perimeter attack to complement their inside game. UMaine also has been effectively utilizing more dribble penetration of late.

MEN’S BASKETBALL

DR. PEPPER CLASSIC

MAINE vs. WEBER STATE

Time, site: Sunday, 6 p.m.; McKenzie Arena, Chattanooga, Tenn.

Records: Maine 4-6; Weber State 8-3

Series, last meeting: first meeting

Key players: Maine – 6-1 G Kevin Reed (13.2 points per game, 4.2 rpg) 6-2 G Eric Dobson (9.9 ppg, 3.9 apg, 3.4 rpg), 7-0 C Justin Rowe (12.o ppg, 11.2 rpg, 5.0 bpg), 6-4 F Rickey White (14.4 ppg, 6.8 rpg), 6-7 F Clayton Brown (9.6 ppg, 5.7 rpg), 6-6 G/F Joe Campbell (11.9 ppg, 5.2 rpg), 5-10 G Thomas Hill (3.7 ppg, 1.9 apg); Weber State – 6-2 G Jermaine Boyette ( 21.7 ppg, 2.5 apg), 6-3 G John Hamilton (14.7 ppg), 6-10 C-F Stephan Bachman (8.3 ppg), 6-4 F Nic Sparrow (8.0 ppg, 4.4 rpg), 6-8 C-F Pat Donley (5.8 rpg), 6-3 G Brad Barton (4.7 rpg, 4.5 apg)

Outlook: Another big challenge for the Bears, who are coming off one of their best games of the season. The Wildcats of Ogden, Utah, are even hotter with six wins in their last eight games. WSU features solid height in the frontcourt, but it’s the backcourt that’s a team strength as Boyette is the leading scorer and Barton is the No. 2 rebounder. The Wildcats, who finished third in the conference last year, are the favorite this year. They are shooting 32.3 percent from 3-point range and 45.9 from the floor overall. Maine center Justin Rowe is coming off a career-best 22 rebounds and blocked eight shots in a win over Jacksonville State. Senior guard Derrick Jackson is expected to play after missing time with a broken rib.