MAINE vs. DENVER

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

Records: Maine 1-1, Denver 0-0

Series, last meeting: Maine leads 9-6; Denver 1-0 on 4/10/04

Key players: Maine – RW Greg Moore (1 goal, 2 assists), C Derek Damon (1 & 1), C Michel Leveille (1 & 1), C Jon Jankus (1 & 0), D Bret Tyler (0 & 1), G Ben Bishop (0-1, 2.87 GAA, .919 save pct.), G Matt Lundin (1-0, 1.00, .917); Denver (last year’s stats) – C Gabe Gauthier (26 & 31), C Paul Stastny (17 & 28), D Matt Carle (13 & 31), C Geoff Paukovich (12 & 10), RW Adrian Veideman (5 & 14), G Glenn Fisher (14-5-1, 2.84, .889), G Peter Mannino (18-4-1, 2.19, .927)

Outlook: Two-time defending national champ Denver returns its top three scorers and both goalies off last year’s 32-9-2 team but lost four veteran defensemen. First team All-American Carle was second among the nation’s defensemen in points and tied for first in goals. Gauthier, who had the only goal in Denver’s NCAA championship game win over Maine two years ago, was a second team All-American last season. His 11 points (6 & 5) in four games were tops in the NCAA Tournament last season. Maine’s strength is its forwards and they will try to take advantage of Denver’s inexperienced defense. The Bears are inexperienced in goal so look for the Pioneers to put the puck on net as much as possible. Both teams are excellent in transition and both have potent power plays.