MAINE vs. NORTHEASTERN

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

Records: Maine 15-6-2 (8-6-1 Hockey East); NU 8-11-4 (5-9-4)

Series, last meeting: Maine leads 43-34-15; Maine 7-1 on 12/9/06

Key players: Maine – LW Josh Soares (14 goals, 15 assists), RW Teddy Purcell (12 & 17), C Michel Leveille (12 & 13), LW Billy Ryan (6 & 13), D Bret Tyler (3 & 14), D Mike Lundin (4 & 9), G Ben Bishop (15-6-2, 2.13 GAA, .922 save pct.); Northeastern – RW Chad Costello (8 & 9), C Mike Morris (6 & 11), LW Kyle Kraemer (5 & 7), LW Dennis McCauley (5 & 7), D Steve Birnstill (1 & 8), D Louis Liotti (0 & 4), G Brad Thiessen (6-10-4, 2.65, .914)

Outlook: Maine is 6-0-1 in its last seven meetings with the Huskies and 10-0-3 in the last 13 at the Alfond Arena. Soares had three goals and an assist in Boston on Dec. 9. Both goalies have been outstanding of late. Thiessen has allowed nine goals in his last six games with a sparkling .943 save percentage. He hasn’t allowed more than two goals in a game during that stretch. Bishop has stopped 105 of 110 shots in his last three outings (.955 save percentage). Northeastern is 4-1-2 in its last seven games, outscoring its opponents 20-12. The Bears have to match the intensity of the young, energetic Huskies and drive the net like they did in their last meeting. Birnstill, NU’s best defenseman, missed the first game with a back injury. The first goal will be important in each game.