MAINE vs. IONA

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

Records: Maine 11-1-2, Iona 3-11-1

Series, last meeting: First meeting

Key players: Maine – C Martin Kariya (4 goals, 14 assists), C Robert Liscak (6 & 11), RW Colin Shields (10 & 5), LW Chris Heisten (9 & 4), D Francis Nault (3 & 8), G Jim Howard (8-1, 1.53 goals-against average, .942 save percentage), G Frank Doyle (3-0-2, 1.64, .939); Iona – C Brent Williams (4 & 4), C Mark Hallam (3 & 5), LW Ryan Manitowich (6 & 1), RW Jamie Carroll (5 & 2), D Ryan Swanson (2 & 5), D Jean-Paul Chaput (0 & 2), G Ian Vigier (1-7-1, 3.06, .906)

Outlook: Iona, in its fifth Division I season after moving up from Division III, has won three of its last five games and one of the losses was a 5-3 decision at red hot UMass. Iona has 14 freshmen, including goalie Vigier, who has been a pleasant surprise, according to Iona coach Frank Bretti. Maine has a 12-game unbeaten streak (10-0-2). The Gaels have averaged 1.9 goals per game while Maine has surrendered just 1.6 per game. Iona is the seventh most penalized team in the country and can ill afford to take penalties because Maine’s power play is fifth best in the nation at 26.7 percent. Maine has outscored its opponents 19-4 in the first period. Maine must not look ahead to Sunday afternoon’s game against Harvard in Portland. The Bears will try to create a fast tempo and force the young Gaels into turnovers that will fuel their transition. The longer the game stays close, the more confidences Iona will build.