Men’s hockey

MAINE vs. NEW HAMPSHIRE

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

Records: Maine 17-9 (10-7 Hockey East); UNH 13-9-4 (9-5-3 HE)

Series, last meeting: Maine leads 51-36-5; UNH 4-2 on 11/12/05

Key players: Maine – RW Greg Moore (18 goals, 8 assists), LW Josh Soares (9 & 15), C Derek Damon (10 & 13); C Michel Leveille (10 & 10), D Bret Tyler (3 & 10), G Ben Bishop (10-5-0, 2.44 GAA, .900 save pct.), G Matt Lundin (7-4-0, 1.48 GAA, .940 save pct.); UNH – C Daniel Winnik (11 & 19), LW Jacob Micflikier (8 & 20), RW Brett Hemingway (12 & 14), D Brian Yandle (6 & 17), D Craig Switzer (2 & 13), G Jeff Pietrasiak (9-3-1, 2.31, .929), G Kevin Regan (4-6-3, 2.68, .910)

Outlook: The two teams are fighting for fourth place in Hockey East. UNH is without seven suspended forwards, who have produced 98 points, for Friday’s game. Maine is 6-0-1 in its last seven Alfond meetings with UNH. UNH is better on the road (6-4-1) than at home (5-5-3). UNH has lost its last two after a 4-0-1 stretch. Maine has won three straight after losing three in a row. Regan (1.50) and Pietrasiak (1.99) have GAA’s under 2.00 vs. Maine. Both teams have potent power plays. UNH is a more dangerous transition team while Maine is more effective on the forecheck. Maine will be bolstered by the return of Leveille and Tyler. The Bears will need to be physical and force UNH’s young defensemen to turn the puck over. UNH will want to test UM’s young goalies.