Men’s college hockey

MAINE vs. VERMONT

Time, site: Friday, 8 p.m., Saturday, 7 p.m.; Gutterson Fieldhouse, Burlington, Vt.

Records: Maine 18-10 (11-8 Hockey East); Vermont 17-8-3 (9-7-3 HE)

Series, last meeting: Maine leads 9-8, Vermont 2-1 on 11/27/05

Key players: Maine – RW Greg Moore (20 goals, 9 assists), LW Josh Soares (11 & 15), C Derek Damon (10 & 15), C Michel Leveille (10 & 12), D Bret Tyler (3 & 11), G Matt Lundin (7-4, 1.72 goals-against average, .934 save percentage), G Ben Bishop (11-6, 2.36, .903); Vermont – C Torrey Mitchell (10 & 22), RW Brady Leisenring (11 & 19), LW Jeff Corey (12 & 15), D Kenny Macaulay (3 & 10), D Jaime Sifers (2 & 11), G Joe Fallon (14-8-3, 1.66, .919), G Travis Russell (3-0, 2.27, .909)

Outlook: Goals will be at a premium. Vermont has the nation’s second-best GAA at 1.79 while Maine is eighth at 2.18. Maine has the country’s best penalty-killing percentage (91.6 percent) and Vermont’s is second best (90.6). Both power plays are also among the top 10 as Maine is seventh (21 percent) and Vermont is 10th (20.2). Russell made 29 saves in the November victory. UVM has a mobile defense corps that does an excellent job protecting the front of their net. Maine will have to shoot low from the outside and drive to the net looking for rebounds and tip-ins. The Bears also have to be physical in all three zones and they will need to nullify the high-scoring line of Corey, Mitchell and Chris Myers.