Men’s hockey

MAINE vs. No. 8 CLARKSON

Time, site: Friday, 7:30 p.m.; Germain Arena, Estero, Fla.

Records: Maine 5-7-2, Clarkson 10-5

Series, last meeting: Maine leads 7-5-1; Maine 4-2 on 12/27/00

Key players: Maine – C Wes Clark (2 goals, 7 assists), D Bret Tyler (4 & 4), LW Billy Ryan (2 & 4), RW Rob Bellamy (1 & 5), RW Matt Duffy (4 & 1), D Simon Danis-Pepin (0 & 1), G Ben Bishop (5-7-2, 2.27 GAA, .923 save pct.); Clarkson – C Nick Dodge (5 & 8), C Chris D’Alvise (5 & 8), RW Matt Beca (2 & 10), C Steve Zalewski (7 & 4), RW David Cayer (4 & 7), D Grant Clitsome (2 & 4), G David Leggio (10-4, 2.00, .924)

Outlook: Clarkson has lost two of its last three and hasn’t played since Dec. 1. The Golden Knights returned seven of their top eight scorers off last year’s 25-9-5 team that lost to UMass in the first round of the NCAA Tournament, 1-0 in overtime. They also have a veteran defense corps and an experienced workhorse goalie in Leggio, who appeared in 37 games a year ago. Clarkson will be aggressive on the forecheck, so Maine will have to be strong in the defensive zone and cover its netfront. The Bears will look to generate more offense by creating a presence between the two faceoff circles in the offensive zone. Maine must get its power play untracked. Maine has scored just one more power-play goal (4) than shorthanded goal (3). Maine will continue to be without left winger Chris Hahn (broken finger).

Men’s basketball

MAINE vs. UMAINE-AUGUSTA

Time, site: Friday, 6 p.m.; Alfond Arena, Orono

Records: Maine 4-7, UM-Augusta 7-5

Series, last meeting: first meeting

Key players: Maine – 6-9 C Brian Andre (12.4 ppg, 6.0 rpg), 6-5 G Junior Bernal (12.3 ppg, 5.0 rpg, 3.4 apg), 6-5 G Mark Socoby (10.6 ppg, 6.5 rpg, 2.3 apg), 6-7 F Troy Barnies (6.5 ppg, 4.3 rpg), 6-6 F Philippe Tchekane Bofia (5.1 ppg, 3.5 rpg), 6-10 F-C Jordan Cook (4.9 ppg, 3.6 rpg); UM-Augusta – 6-0 G Deon Cheers (16.4 ppg, 11.0 rpg, 5.0 apg, 4.6 spg), 6-4 F Chad Gray (18.2 ppg), 5-8 G Tristan Starbird (2.1 spg), 6-3 F Tyler Norris, 6-3 F Eric Gagne, 5-7 G Dan Duplissie (3.7 apg)

Outlook: The Black Bears are approaching this exhibition game as a home tune-up after a grueling, five-game stretch including road games against Providence, Florida State and Connecticut. It’s also a chance for Maine coach Ted Woodward to play everyone and experiment with various combinations and substitutions. The Moose are 5-2 in Yankee Small College Conference play. Cheers is leading all United States Collegiate Athletic Association Division II players in steals and is second in double-doubles with eight in 12 games. The Moose are averaging 75.7 points, eighth in the USCAA Div. II, and shooting 47.5 percent from the field, fifth nationally.