Men’s hockey

Florida College Classic

MAINE vs. WESTERN MICHIGAN

Time, site: Friday, 4:05 p.m., Germain Arena, Estero, Fla.

Records: Maine 10-3-2, Western Michigan 6-8-1

Series, last meeting: Maine leads 2-1-2; 4-4 tie on 10/27/02

Key players: Maine – C Michel Leveille (12 goals, 8 assists), LW Josh Soares (7 & 11), RW Teddy Purcell (5 & 13), LW Billy Ryan (4 & 10), D Bret Tyler (1 & 9), D Mike Lundin (2 & 6), G Ben Bishop (10-3-2, 1.75 goals-against average, .927 save percentage); Western Michigan – C Mark Letestu (9 & 10), RW Jeff Pierce (5 & 11), LW Brian Bicek (8 & 5), C Paul Szczechura (5 & 8), D Ryan Mahrle (0 & 7), D Tyler Ludwig (1 & 5), G Riley Gill (5-3-1, 3.51, .886)

Outlook: The Broncos are 3-3 against nationally ranked teams, including a 6-3 win and 6-5 loss to Michigan in a series earlier this month. They have a good power play (18.2 percent success rate) and their top line features their three leading scorers. Maine has a modest three-game unbeaten streak (2-0-1). The Bears will have to do a better job creating netfront traffic and generating second and third shots. Maine’s power play is just 4-for-28 over its last five games while the penalty kill has been successful on 25 of 26 during that span, including 24 straight kills. Maine will have the same lineup that tied Mercyhurst 1-1 in Portland on Dec. 16, including the fourth line of Wes Clark between Chris Hahn and Vince Laise that combined for 10 shots on goal in its first game together. New Hampshire and Cornell meet in the 7:35 game.