UMaine capsules

Men’s ice hockey

MAINE vs. NORTHEASTERN

Time, site: Friday, 7 p.m., Matthews Arena, Boston

Records: Maine 7-4-1 (4-3-1 Hockey East), Northeastern 10-3-1, 7-2-1

Series, last meeting: Maine leads 46-38-15, NU 2-1 on Oct. 25

Key players: Maine – RW Gustav Nyquist (6 goals, 5 assists), LW Brian Flynn (3 & 5), C Chris Hahn (4 & 2), C Tanner House (3 & 3), D Josh Van Dyk (0 & 5), D Simon Danis-Pepin (0 & 4), G Scott Darling (5-2-1, 1.24 goals-against average, .950 save percentage); Northeastern – C Ryan Ginand (10 & 4), LW Alex Tuckerman (5 & 8), LW Tyler McNeely (6 & 5), RW Wade MacLeod (4 & 7), RW Steve Quailer (3 & 8), D David Strathman (1 & 7), G Brad Thiessen (10-3-2, 1.98, .937)

Outlook: Maine has won the last five meetings at Matthews. On the injury front, NU will be without captain Joe Vitale and defensemen Drew Meunch and J.P. Maley while Maine defensemen Jeff Dimmen (back) may return after missing a game and Mike Banwell (hip flexor) is doubtful. NU has won three of its last four. Maine has a tie and loss in its last two games after winning six straight. Maine will have to continue its stellar defensive play and needs to get its power play (0-for-its-last-21) untracked. The Bears have scored just five goals in their last three games and Thiessen is one of the nation’s best goaltenders as he proved in Orono two months ago when he stopped 54 of 55 shots in 5-0 and 2-1 wins. Matthews is five feet wider than Maine’s Alfond Arena so Maine will have to adapt to the wider ice surface.

Women’s ice hockey

MAINE vs. PROVIDENCE

Time, site: Friday, 7 p.m.; Saturday, 2 p.m.; Alfond Arena, Orono

Records: Maine 3-11-1 (1-5-1 Hockey East); PC 7-6-2 (3-2-1 HE)

Series, last meeting: PC leads 24-1-7, PC 4-2 on Oct. 26

Key players: Maine – C Vanessa Vani (2 goals, 11 assists), LW Jennie Gallo (7 & 5), C Jenna Ouellette (6 & 5), D Lexie Hoffmeyer (3 & 8), RW Amy Stech (5 & 3), D Melissa Gagnon (1 & 5), G Genevieve Turgeon (1-8-1, 4.44 goals-against average, .881 save percentage); Providence – LW Laura Veharanta (10 & 4), C Erin Normore (4 & 8), C Ashley Cottrell (1 & 8), RW Alyse Ruff (6 & 2), C Katy Beach (4 & 3), D Brittany Simpson (0 & 7), G Genevieve Lacasse (6-4, 1.72, .950)

Outlook: The Black Bears will look to extend their Hockey East unbeaten streak to three games tonight (1-0-1). Maine got swept by Robert Morris last weekend 4-2 and 5-4 while Providence took a pair from Robert Morris 3-1, 5-2 earlier this season. PC is 5-1-2 in its last eight while Maine is 1-7-1 in its last nine. Providence is a big, physical team so the Bears will have to move their feet and try to capitalize on their quickness. The Bears must also match Providence’s work ethic. Staying out of the penalty box will be another key for Maine, which is killing penalties at a below-average 74.1 percent success rate. Sophomore defenseman Madelene Eriksson could play her first game for the Bears this weekend after being sidelined by illness.