Men’s hockey

Ice Breaker Tournament

MAINE vs. AIR FORCE ACADEMY

Time, site: Friday, 7 p.m., World Arena, Colorado Springs, Colo.

Records: Maine 0-0, AFA 0-0

Series, last meeting: Maine 4-0; Maine 7-1 on 11/9/90

Key players (last year’s stats): Maine – C Derek Damon (14 goals, 13 assists), C Jon Jankus (8 & 17), C Michel Leveille (12 & 12), RW Greg Moore (14 & 9), D Steve Mullin (0 & 4), G Matt Lundin (1-0, 2.00 GAA, .928 save pct.), G Ben Bishop; Air Force – LW Andrew Ramsey (11 & 14), D Brian Gineo (9 & 14), C Eric Ehn (9 & 13), D Brooks Turnquist (4 & 13), LW Josh Print (7 & 6), RW Matt Bader (4 & 8), G Peter Foster (12-14-3, 2.66, .900)

Outlook: Maine will be heavily favored but can’t look past the Falcons to Saturday night’s game against Colorado College. Air Force Academy is used to the altitude and returns three All-College Hockey America selections in second-teamer Gineo and All-Rookie Team picks Ehn and D Matt Charbonneau. The Falcons will be disciplined and will try to slow the Bears down. Air Force returns 93 percent of its defense scoring and should be vastly improved over last year. Maine will be looking to put some pucks in the net to regain its scoring confidence. The Bears scored only one goal in their last two games of 2004-2005. Maine All-Rookie Team defenseman Bret Tyler is suspended for the game for violating team rules last spring. He will play in Saturday’s game.