MAINE vs. MASSACHUSETTS

Time, site: Friday, Saturday, 7 p.m.; Mullins Center, Amherst, Mass.

Records: Maine 11-8-3 (6-3-1 Hockey East); UMass 10-11-1 (4-6-1)

Series, last meeting: Maine leads 31-6-3, Maine 6-2 on 11/19/04

Key players: Maine – C Derek Damon (10 goals, 9 assists), C Jon Jankus (6 & 10), LW Josh Soares (7 & 7), LW Brent Shepheard (7 & 6), C Michel Leveille (6 & 4), D Troy Barnes (1 & 9), G Jimmy Howard (10-8-3, 2.16 GAA, .909 save percentage); UMass – RW Stephen Werner (11 & 10), LW P.J. Fenton (9 & 7), D Marvin Degon (8 & 4), LW Kevin Jarman (2 & 10), RW Matt Burto (5 & 3), C Tim Vitek (5 & 3), G Gabe Winer (8-7-1, 2.71, .897)

Outlook: The Minutemen and Bears desperately need to put together strong second halves to entertain NCAA Tournament aspirations. UMass has never made the NCAA Tournament and is hosting one of the regionals. UMass is 9-2 on the Olympic ice sheet at the Mullins Center and had won three straight, all at home, before losing at UMass Lowell 4-3 Friday. UMass held the red-hot River Hawks to only 16 shots on goal. Werner has had three consecutive three-point games and is dangerous every time he’s on the ice. UMass likes to use the neutral zone trap, especially with the lead. Maine will need to make smart decisions in the neutral zone and protect the puck to limit UMass’ transition opportunities. UMass’ second-leading scorer, Matt Anderson, is out with a broken leg.