MAINE vs. NORTH DAKOTA

Time, site: Friday, 8 p.m.; Saturday, 7 p.m.; Alfond Arena, Orono

Records: Maine 1-0, North Dakota 0-0

Series, last meeting: UND leads 9-4-1; Maine 5-1 on 10/21/01

Key players: Maine (2004 stats) – C Michel Leveille (0 goals, 0 assists), C Derek Damon (0 & 2), LW Greg Moore (1 & 0), C Ben Murphy (1 & 1), D Mike Lundin (0 & 0), D Troy Barnes (0 & 0), G Jimmy Howard (1-0, 1.08 GAA, .957 save percentage); North Dakota (last year’s stats) – C Brady Murray (19 & 27), RW Colby Genoway (11 & 23), LW Drew Stafford (11 & 21), D Matt Jones (7 & 14), D Matt Greene (1 & 16), G Jordan Parise (14-4-3, 2.05, .908), G Jake Brandt (16-4, 2.25, .906)

Outlook: The Fighting Sioux must replace the 50 goals and 115 points from All-WCHA stars Brandon Bochenski and Zach Parise, who left early to sign with Ottawa and New Jersey, respectively. Murray was the WCHA Rookie of the Year and center Travis Zajac was the preseason choice for the award this season. They have seven players back who scored at least 10 goals in 2003-2004 and their entire defense and both goalies are back. They’re ranked fifth in the country in both polls while Maine is second in one and third in the other. Both are fast and physical and they pressure the puck all over the ice. Special teams play and turnovers will probably decide this series. The Sioux are quick up front, so Maine’s defensemen will have to gap and angle properly to compensate for their lack of mobility. Maine was 17-1-1 at Alfond Arena last season.