Men’s Hockey

MAINE vs. VERMONT

Time, site: Sunday, 2 p.m.; Alfond Arena, Orono

Records: Maine 9-3 (4-2 Hockey East); Vermont 9-3 (3-3 HE)

Series, last meeting: Maine leads 9-7; Maine 7-1 on 10/3/04

Key players: Maine – LW Josh Soares (6 goals, 6 assists), C Keenan Hopson (3 & 9), LW Billy Ryan (3 & 9), RW Greg Moore (8 & 3), LW Derek Damon (5 & 6), D Mike Lundin (0 & 4), G Ben Bishop (6-2, 1.87 GAA, .923 save pct.); Vermont – RW Brady Leisenring (7 & 11), C Torrey Mitchell (4 & 14), RW Jeff Corey (6 & 8), LW Peter Lenes (8 & 3), C Dean Strong (4 & 5), D Jaime Sifers (1 & 5), G Joe Fallon (8-3, 1.83, .900)

Outlook: The Bears and Catamounts mirror each other in many ways, including exemplary special teams. Maine (93.9 percent) and UVM (93.5) are first and second, respectively, in the nation in penalty-killing efficiency and are tied for sixth in power-play proficiency (24.4 percent). Maine is tied for second in goals-against average (1.50), and Vermont is sixth (1.83). High-percentage scoring chances may be at a premium, so it may come down to which team capitalizes better. Maine will have to contain the line of Lenes-Mitchell-Leisenring. Lenes’ six power-play goals are tops among the nation’s freshmen. Vermont lost to UMass 2-1 on Tuesday despite outshooting the Minutemen 30-11. Fallon was the Rookie of the Year in the ECAC Hockey League last season. UVM has allowed only 18.7 shots on goal per game.

Women’s basketball

Dead River Co. Classic

MAINE vs. DARTMOUTH

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

Records: Maine 2-0; Dartmouth 2-0

Series, last meeting: Maine leads 7-3, Dartmouth 71-65 on 11/22/02

Key players: Maine – 5-8 G Ashley Underwood (16 ppg, 3 rpg, .500 3-pt. FG pct.), 6-2 F Katie Whittier (14 ppg, 12 rpg), 6-3 C Abby Schrader (11 ppg, 8 rpg), 6-1 F Bracey Barker (10 ppg, 5.5 rpg, 4.5 apg), 5-6 G Margaret Elderton (4 ppg, 4.5 apg), 5-7 G Ameshia Bryant (5 ppg, 7 rpg); Dartmouth – 5-10 G Jeannie Cullen (20 ppg, 4 rpg, 3 apg, 2 spg, .556 3-pt. FG pct.), 6-4 C Elise Morrison (17 ppg, 7.5 rpg, 3 bpg, .722 FG pct.), 5-6 G Angie Soriaga (12 ppg, 4.5 apg, 3 spg), 5-11 G/F Ashley Taylor (11.5 ppg, 4.5 rpg, 3 apg), 5-8 G Fatima Kamara (9 ppg, 5 rpg, 3.5 apg).

Outlook: After playing a fast tempo Friday night, the Bears must turn around and get ready to take on defending Ivy League champion Dartmouth. The Big Green reached the NCAA Tournament last season, losing to perennial national power Connecticut in the first round. UMaine’s post players are likely get their first big test against the likes of Morrison and 6-2 Darcy Rose. Dartmouth already owns wins over Quinnipiac (90-42) and Holy Cross (74-63). The Big Green obviously are playing good team ball as evidenced by their 17.5 assists per game and a lineup that features four players averaging in double figures and another at 9 ppg.

Men’s basketball

MAINE vs. PITTSBURGH

Time, site: Saturday, 7:30 p.m.; Peterson Center, Pittsburgh, Pa.

Records: Maine 1-2, Pittsburgh 2-0

Series, last meeting: first meeting

Key players: Maine – 6-2 G Ernest Turner (22.3 ppg, 4.0 rpg, 2.7 apg), 6-1 G Jon Sheets (12.0 ppg, 3.3 rpg, 3.3 apg, 3.0 spg), 6-10 F-C Olli Ahvenniemi (7.7 ppg, 8.0 rpg, 4.5 bpg), 5-10 G Rashard Turner (6.7 ppg, 5.3 apg, 3.3 rpg), 6-10 F Christian Cavanaugh (5.7 ppg, 5.0 rpg); Pittsburgh – 6-2 G Carl Krauser (20.0 ppg, 5.0 rpg, 3.5 spg, 3.0 apg), 7-0 C Aaron Gray (10.5 ppg, 9.0 rpg, 2.0 bpg), 5-10 G Levance Fields (8.5 ppg, 5.0 apg), 6-9 F Levon Kendall (5.5 ppg, 7.0 rpg), 6-2 F John DeGroat (4.5 ppg, 3.5 rpg)

Outlook: Even before the preseason even began, this game loomed as the “headliner” of the nonconference schedule. The Panthers are going for their fifth straight NCAA Tournament appearance while the Black Bears are one of several Division I teams that have yet to make even one. A win against a solid Pitt team picked in the Big East Conference preseason poll to finish seventh would be a benchmark victory this season and a big boost to a young team still struggling to find its identity and rhythm. Krauser is an All-Big East first-teamer who should be a tough defensive assignment. Pitt is 3-0 all time vs. America East teams and 50-5 at the Peterson Center in its four-year history. The Panthers have also won 51 of their last 52 non-conference games at home.