BLACK BEAR CLASSIC

Maine vs. U.S. National Development Under-18 Team

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

Records: Maine 2-0, U.S. team 4-4

Series: Maine leads 1-0, Maine 4-2 on Oct. 20, 2000

Key players: Maine – LW Todd Jackson (4 goals, 0 assists), C Michel Levaille (0 & 4), RW Greg Moore (1 & 2), D Prestin Ryan (1 & 2), C Derek Damon (1 & 1), G Jim Howard (1-0, 0.00 GAA, 1.000 save percentage), G Frank Doyle (1-0, 2.00, .929); U.S. – RW Brandon Scero (8 & 1), LW Geoff Paukovich (6 & 2), C Bryan Lerg (3 & 5), RW Kevin Swallow (2 & 6), D Nate Hagemo (0 & 4), G Jordan Pearce (2-2, 3.87, .842), G Chris Carlson (2-2, 4.07, .869)

Outlook: Although it’s an exhibition game, the Bears would like to follow up their Maverick Stampede tournament title with another championship. Moe Mantha’s team has played three Division I teams, losing to New Hampshire (5-0), Denver (6-2) and Colorado College (7-1). The U.S. team will have to keep an eye on the Jackson-Damon-Moore line. The Bears will be physical and will try to create a fast tempo. The U.S. team is talented but young and it will have to handle Maine’s physical play. Paukovich, Lerg and Swallow have been linemates. Eleven Bears notched at least a point in the 4-0 and 6-2 wins over No. 1 Minnesota and Wisconsin, respectively. Wingers Brent Shepheard and Keith Johnson will become the ninth and 10th newcomers to make their Maine debuts this season.

Sacred Heart vs. Holy Cross

Time, site: Friday, 4 p.m., Alfond Arena, Orono

Records: Holy Cross 1-0-1, Sacred Heart 0-2

Key players: Holy Cross – C Tim Coskren (1 & 1), C Matt Conway (0 & 2), C Greg Kealey (0 & 2), D R.J. Irving, LW Jeff Dams (0 & 2), D J.R. Walker, G Tony Quesada (1-0, 1.00 GAA, .960 save percentage); Sacred Heart – W Pierre-Luc O’Brien (2 & 0), W Garrett Larson (1 & 0), C Rocco Molinaro, W Marc-Andre Fournier (1 & 0), C Chuck Metcalfe (0 & 1), D Bernie Chmiel, G Kevin LaPointe (0-1, 4.00 GAA, .909 save percentage)

Outlook: Holy Cross was picked to finish third in the Atlantic Hockey league, formerly known as the MAAC, while Sacred Heart was selected fourth. Holy Cross opened its season with a 3-1 win and 3-3 tie against Canisius while Sacred Heart lost to Hockey East teams Merrimack (4-2) and Providence (7-2). This will be an Atlantic League regular season game. Kealey and Irving were preseason Atlantic Hockey first-team selections while Larson was a second-team pick. Holy Cross was 17-18-1 last season while Sacred Heart wound up 14-15-6. Holy Cross has the edge in experience between the pipes as Quesada played in 26 games a year ago while LaPointe appeared in only six as he backed up Eddie Ferhi. This should be an entertaining game as both teams have a nice blend of veterans and newcomers.