UMaine capsules

Men’s hockey

MAINE vs. MERRIMACK

Time, site: Friday, Saturday, 7 p.m.; Volpe Center, North Andover, Mass.

Records: Maine 4-4-1 (2-2-1 Hockey East); Merrimack 4-4-1 (1-4-1)

Series, last meeting: Maine leads 53-8-5; Maine 5-1 on 2/25/07

Key players: Maine – D Bret Tyler (3 goals, 4 assists), LW Chris Hahn (3 & 1), RW Andrew Sweetland (2 & 2), LW Billy Ryan (1 & 2), C Rob Bellamy (0 & 2), D Travis Ramsey (1 & 0), G Ben Bishop (4-4-1, 2.16 GAA, .931 save pct.); Merrimack – C Rob Ricci (3 & 5), RW Matt Jones (5 & 2), C Francois Ouimet (3 & 4), LW Chris Barton (2 & 3), D Pat Bowen (0 & 2), G Patrick Watson (2-3-1, 3.29 GAA, .901 save pct.), G Andrew Brathwaite (2-1, 2.62, .911)

Outlook: Maine has won the last seven meetings and has a 17-game unbeaten streak (15-0-2) against the Warriors dating back to Feb. 9, 2002. The Bears are 0-2-1 in their last three games and have scored only three goals. They will be without centers Wes Clark (shoulder injury) and Tanner House (suspension) along with RW Vince Laise (stomach injury). The Warriors have already exceeded last year’s win total (3-27-4) thanks to the return of Ricci, who led the team in scoring two years ago but missed last season due to suspension. Maine coach Tim Whitehead is moving junior defenseman Matt Duffy to right wing on a line with Keenan Hopson and Robby Dee.

Women’s hockey

MAINE vs. CONNECTICUT

Time, site: Friday, 4 p.m.; Alfond Arena, Orono

Records: Maine 1-10-1 (0-2-1 Hockey East), UConn 10-2 (3-1)

Series, last meeting: Maine leads 9-8-2, UConn 3-1 on 2/4/07

Key players: Maine – C Vanessa Vani (2 goals, 5 assists), C Taryn Peacock (2 & 5), LW Amy Stech (3 & 1), C Jordan Colliton (1 & 3), D Elyce Thomas (2 & 0), RW Jenna Ouellette (1 & 1), G Genevieve Turgeon (1-6-1, 3.37 GAA, .920 save pct.); UConn – LW Dominique Thibault (11 & 10), C Jaclyn Hawkins (3 & 11), RW Nicole Tritter (6 & 4), C Amy Hollstein (5 & 4), D Cristin Allen (1 & 4), D Jody Sydor (2 & 1), G Brittany Wilson (6-2, 2.55, .916)

Outlook: UConn, ranked ninth in the country, has won 10 of its last 11 and has held teams to two goals or less nine times. Maine is 0-10-1 in its last 11 and has lost eight straight. UConn swept the three games last year. Thibault has three shorthanded goals. Maine is just 3-for-57 on its power play and has surrendered three shorthanded goals. UConn is a big, physical hard-working team and the Bears are going to have to match the Huskies’ intensity. Maine will also have to find a way to neutralize the line of Thibault-Hawkins-Tritter. UConn is coming off a 4-1 win against Vermont in which the Huskies limited the Catamounts to 11 shots on goal despite the fact UVM had five power plays. Maine will have to be thorough in the defensive zone and protect the front of its net.