Men’s College Hockey

MAINE vs. VERMONT

Time, site: Saturday, 2 p.m., Gutterson Fieldhouse, Burlington, Vt.

Records: Maine 8-2-1 (3-2-1 Hockey East); Vermont 6-4-1 (4-1-1)

Series, last meeting: Maine leads 10-8-1, 4-4 (OT) on 2/11/06

Key players: Maine – C Michel Leveille (11 goals, 8 assists), RW Teddy Purcell (5 & 9), LW Josh Soares (4 & 9), LW Billy Ryan (1 & 7), D Bret Tyler (1 & 7), D Mike Lundin (2 & 5), G Ben Bishop (8-2-1, 2.05 goals-against average, .916 save percentage); Vermont – RW Torrey Mitchell (4 & 11), C Dean Strong (8 & 6), LW Peter Lenes (3 & 4), D Kenny Macaulay (1 & 6), LW Viktor Stalberg (2 & 4), D Ryan Gunderson (0 & 6), G Joe Fallon (6-3-1, 1.49, .933)

Outlook: The Catamounts have won four straight, allowing only four goals, while Maine is 1-2-1 in its last four and has surrendered 15 goals. Fallon faced only 15 shots (2 in the third period) in Tuesday’s 3-0 win at Massachusetts. The line of Stalberg-Strong-Mitchell has combined for 7 & 12 over the last four games. Leveille has 5 & 2 in his last three contests. Maine is 2-0-1 in its previous three games at Gutterson. The Catamounts do a great job covering the front of their net and blocking shots, so Maine must get traffic in front; get shots off quickly and through, and try to generate second and third chances. The Bears must also keep a watchful eye on Strong’s line and do a better job picking up players in the defensive zone. Maine will require a quality performance from Bishop. Special teams will be crucial. UVM coach Kevin Sneddon feels his team has to keep track of Leveille, whom he considers one of the nation’s best players.

Men’s Basketball

MAINE vs. ROBERT MORRIS

Time, site: Sunday, 1 p.m., Alfond Arena, Orono

Records: Maine 2-3, Robert Morris 3-0

Series, last meeting: Robert Morris leads 3-0, RMU 62-53 on 11/28/05

Key players: Maine – 6-6 F Phil Tchekane Bofia (13.0 ppg, 6.6 rpg, .609 FG pct.), 6-5 G Junior Bernal (12.4 ppg, 4.4 rpg, 4.2 apg, 2.6 spg), 6-3 G Kevin Reed (12.4 ppg, 5.6 rpg), 6-6 G Mark Socoby (8.8 ppg, 2.8 apg), 6-1 G Jon Sheets (8.6 ppg), 6-4 F Chris Bruff (8.0 ppg, 4.4 rpg); Robert Morris – 6-6 F A.J. Jackson (25.0 ppg, 10.3 rpg), 6-3 G Jeremy Chappell (15.3 ppg, 4.7 rpg), 5-11 G Derek Coleman (13.7 ppg), 6-0 G Tony Lee (12.0 ppg, 5.7 rpg, .652 FG pct.), 6-9 C Freddie Harris (3.0 ppg)

Outlook: The Black Bears play their next-to-last home game of 2006 against the Colonials. UMaine, coming off Wednesday’s win over NAIA entry College of St. Joseph (Vt.), looks for its third straight victory. Robert Morris tries to open a season 4-0 for the first time in program history. The Bears continue to work on developing their on-court chemistry with freshmen Bernal and Socoby playing key roles. UMaine has spread the ball around on offense and rebounded well. While RMU also features good offensive balance, UMaine will have to pay special attention to Jackson, who has been on a tear. Bofia may be able to match up well defensively in the paint, but will have to shadow Jackson outside as well. RMU beat UMaine rival New Hampshire 77-64 on Tuesday.