MEN’S HOCKEY

FLORIDA EVERBLADES CLASSIC

MAINE vs. OHIO STATE

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

Records: Maine 12-2-1, Ohio State 11-7

Series, last meeting: Maine leads 10-1; Maine 6-2 on 12/29/01

Key players: Maine – RW Colin Shields (8 goals, 6 assists), C Michel Leveille (0 & 14), LW Todd Jackson (9 & 4), C Derek Damon (5 & 7), D Troy Barnes (2 & 8), D Prestin Ryan (3 & 5), G Frank Doyle (7-1, 1.88 goals-against average, .919 save percentage); Ohio State – LW Paul Caponigri (11 & 8), C Dave Steckel (10 & 5), RW Scott May (5 & 8), RW J.B. Bittner (10 & 2), D Nate Guenin (2 & 10), D Doug Andress (0 & 10), G Mike Betz (9-6, 2.14, .924)

Outlook: The Buckeyes had a four-game winning streak snapped by Miami of Ohio on Dec. 5-6 (2-1, 4-2 losses). Senior Betz is a three-time CCHA Defensive Player of the Week. He had a career-high 58 saves in a 3-2 OT win at Maine in 2000. Maine will have to drive the net tenaciously to screen him and generate garbage-goal opportunities. The Bears will need to be physical. Doyle has held opponents to two goals or fewer in seven of his eight starts. Maine is second in the country in goals-against average (1.80) and Ohio State is tied for ninth (2.28). The Bears are fifth in goal production (3.87). Maine has two Everblades titles and a runner-up in its three previous appearances. Caponigri was the CCHA Player of the Month for November (6 & 6 in 8 games). Maine will have to keep an eye on him along with the 6-foot-5 Steckel and Bittner. Maine is unbeaten in its last six (5-0-1) and has outscored its opponents 19-8. Notre Dame and Cornell meet in the other semi.

WOMEN’S BASKETBALL

MAINE vs. SOUTHERN METHODIST

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

Records: Maine 5-3; Southern Methodist 3-4

Series, last meeting: first meeting

Key players: Maine – 6-1 F Heather Ernest (19.5 ppg, 10.9 rpg), 5-9 G Melissa Heon (10.9 ppg, 5.6 rpg, 3.6 apg), 6-0 F Monica Peterson (8.4 ppg, 4.8 rpg, .850 FT pct., .521 FG pct.), 6-1 G/F Julie Veilleux (8.4 ppg, 3.3 rpg, 2.8 apg, .429 3-pt. pct.), 5-7 G Kim Corbitt (5.3 ppg, 2.8 apg); Southern Methodist – 5-8 G Shanta Ramdhanny (10.9 ppg), 6-2 C Sarah Davis (9.0 ppg, 6.1 rpg), 5-11 G Andrea Cossey (8.9 ppg, .867 FT pct.), 5-10 F Shonte Roberts (8.7 ppg, 5.6 rpg), 5-11 G Kendall Shead (6.6 ppg, 3.4 rpg, 4.7 apg), 5-6 G Kaira White (6.9 ppg)

Outlook: The Bears continue to gear up for America East play with a year-ending nonleague contest against the Mustangs, who are playing their fourth straight road game. SMU also has played a difficult schedule, one that has included Texas Tech, Oklahama, and TCU. The guard-oriented SMU team has been consistently outrebounded (minus-15.5 per game). UMaine wants to control the rebounding and strives for better defense, having let opponents shoot 42 percent from the field while averaging 67 ppg. The Bears need to play under control and achieve scoring balance to keep the Mustangs from ganging up on Ernest underneath.