Men’s hockey

MAINE vs. ALABAMA-HUNTSVILLE

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

Records: Maine 3-1, Alabama-Huntsville 0-0

Series, last meeting: Maine leads 7-0-1; tied 2-2 on Feb. 7, 2004

Key players: Maine – LW Josh Soares (3 goals, 1 assist), C Derek Damon (3 & 1), RW Greg Moore (2 & 2), C Michel Leveille (2 & 2), D Mike Lundin (0 & 2), G Ben Bishop (2-1, 1.97 goals-against average, .923 save percentage), G Matt Lundin (1-0, 1.00, .917); Alabama-Huntsville (last season’s statistics) – LW Bruce Mulherin (24 goals, 15 assists), D Jeremy Schreiber (2 & 21), D Jeff Winchester (1 & 20), RW Steve Canter (8 & 11), RW Brett McConnachie (8 & 5), C Grant Selinger (4 & 8), G Scott Munroe (16-10-4, 2.29, .930)

Outlook: This will be a tough test for the Bears. Alabama-Huntsville was the preseason pick to win College Hockey America in the coaches’ poll. They return four All-CHA players in Mulherin, Schreiber, Winchester and Munroe. The line of Mulherin-Selinger-Canter is dangerous. Mulherin had 11 power-play goals last year. Maine will have to be tenacious in the offensive zone and create traffic in front of Munroe, who made 35 saves in a 1-0 loss to Maine two years ago. Left wing Vince Laise and defenseman Bryan Plaszcz are expected to make their Maine debuts this weekend and winger Chris Hahn, who had been sidelined with a sprained wrist, may also make his first appearance.