Maine vs. Northeastern

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

Records: Maine 16-2-2 (6-1-1 Hockey East); NU 6-10-2 (1-8-1 HE)

Series, last meeting: 33-33-13; Maine 8-2 on Nov. 15, 2002

Key players: Maine – C Martin Kariya (10 goals, 20 assists), C Robert Liscak (8 & 15), LW Chris Heisten (10 & 9), D Francis Nault (6 & 11), D Cliff Loya (0 & 5), G Jimmy Howard (9-1, 1.58 goals-against average, .942 save percentage), G Frank Doyle (7-1-2, 2.04, .925); Northeastern – LW Mike Ryan (14 & 6), C Jason Guerriero (3 & 15), RW Mike Morris (4 & 10), LW Trevor Reschny (3 & 6), D Tim Judy (2 & 7), G Tim Heneroty (0-2, 4.22, .890), G Keni Gibson (5-7-2, 3.17, .900)

Outlook: Maine is 5-0-2 in its last seven Alfond meetings with the Huskies, although the Huskies have traditionally played well in Orono. NU will be anxious to bounce back from last weekend’s 4-0 and 7-2 losses to Boston University, so expect them to play much tighter team defense. Maine will try to create an up-tempo game and force NU’s young defense into turnovers. Gibson will miss Friday’s game after being suspended for one game by coach Bruce Crowder for a five-minute slashing major incurred against BU on Sunday. Each team will be without one of its top forwards: NU’s Eric Ortlip (separated shoulder) and Maine’s Colin Shields (cracked rib). Forward Joe Mastronardi has been moved back to defense. Maine will be bolstered by the return of winger Greg Moore and goalie Jim Howard, who missed the last four games while playing for U.S. in the World Junior Championships in Nova Scotia.