Men’s hockey

MAINE vs. NEW HAMPSHIRE

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

Records: UNH 16-7-1 (12-4-1 Hockey East); Maine 8-13-3 (4-10-3)

Series, last meeting: Maine leads 53-40-5; UNH 2-0 on 12/16/07

Key players: Maine – D Bret Tyler (6 goals, 10 assists), C Wes Clark (6 & 9), RW Rob Bellamy (4 & 10), LW Andrew Sweetland (5 & 4), C Tanner House (1 & 8), D Simon Danis-Pepin (3 & 4), G Ben Bishop (8-13-3, 2.64 GAA, .913 save pct.); New Hampshire – RW Matt Fornataro (10 & 21), C Mike Radja (13 & 12), C James vanRiemsdyk (10 & 13), LW Jerry Pollastrone (8 & 11), D Craig Switzer (5 & 11), D Brad Flaishans (4 & 10), G Kevin Regan (14-5-0, 2.38, .922)

Outlook: The league-leading Wildcats have won their last five road games. Maine is 0-3-1 in its last four home games. UNH has won three straight, five of six and seven of nine. Maine has lost three in a row and is 2-10-2 in its last 14 league games. UNH is fourth in the country in goal production (3.58 gpg). The Bears must slow down the talented, swift-skating Wildcats by being physical. And they must protect the puck and play a simple game because UNH is one of the best transition teams. The Wildcats will transform turnovers into dangerous odd-man rushes. VanRiemsdyk was the leading scorer in the World Junior Championships (5 & 6) and didn’t play in the win over Maine. He was the second overall pick in the last draft by the Philadelphia Flyers, UNH’s highest-ever pick.