Men’s hockey
NO. 5 MAINE vs. NORTHEASTERN
Time, site: Friday, Saturday, 7 p.m., Alfond Arena, Orono
Records: Maine 4-1-3 (2-0-1 Hockey East), NU 1-5-2 (1-2-1 HE)
Series, last meeting: Maine leads 48-40-15, Maine 5-1 on Dec. 12, 2009
Key players: Maine — LW Spencer Abbott (6 goals, 7 assists), RW Gustav Nyquist (3 & 10), C Robby Dee (5 & 7), C Tanner House (5 & 3), D Josh Van Dyk (0 & 6), D Jeff Dimmen (1 & 3), G Dan Sullivan (2-1-1, 2.35 goals-against average, .904 save percentage); NU — RW Brodie Reid (1 & 4), RW Wade MacLeod (3 & 1), C Steve Silva (2 & 2), LW Tyler McNeely (2 & 2), C Mike McLaughlin (3 & 0), D Anthony Bitetto (0 & 3), G Chris Rawlings (1-4-2, 2.37, .929)
Outlook: Maine is 3-0-1 in its last four games and is 3-0-1 in its four home games. NU is better than its record but has lost three straight, all to Atlantic Hockey teams. NU scored just five goals in the losses. The Huskies have been using three freshmen defensemen so the Black Bears will try to exploit their inexperience. The Huskies have plenty of quality and experience up front. They returned three of their top four scorers, including MacLeod and McNeely, who have combined for 15 career points against Maine. Northeastern will be aggressive on the forecheck and will play physical in all three zones. They are the fourth most penalized team in the country (18.9 penalty minutes per game) while Maine is ninth (17.4) so special teams could be critical. High-scoring Maine defenseman Will O’Neill, who quarterbacks one of the power play units, will be sidelined by a lower body injury while NU has been without Alex Tuckerman, Robbie Vrolyk and defenseman Drew Meunch.
Men’s basketball
MAINE vs. UTAH VALLEY
Time, site: Friday, 9 p.m.; UCCU Center, Orem, Utah
Records: Maine 0-0 (19-11 in 2009-10), Utah Valley 0-0 (12-18)
Series, last meeting: 1st meeting
Key players (2009-10 statistics): Maine — 6-3 G Gerald McLemore (14.6 ppg, .398 3-pt. FG pct.), 6-7 F Sean McNally (10.3 ppg, 7.4 rpg), 6-7 F Murphy Burnatowski (6.4 ppg, 3.7 rpg, 1.2 spg), 6-7 F Troy Barnies (6.3 ppg, 5.5 rpg), 6-0 G Raheem Singleton (1st season), 6-6 G Malachi Peay (2.1 ppg); Utah Valley — 6-7 G Jordan Swarbrick (12.4 ppg, 4.9 rpg, 2.3 apg, 1.4 spg),6-7 F Justin Baker (10.6 ppg, 4.9 rpg, .510 FG pct.), 6-3 G Shawn Deadwiler (.8.3 ppg, .816 FT pct.), 6-1 G Kevin Woods (3.2 ppg), 6-1 G Isiah Williams (1st season), 6-6 F Keith Thompson (1st season)
Outlook: The Black Bears begin their 2010-11 season far from home. UMaine should have a distinct advantage in cohesiveness and chemistry with seven upperclassmen in the mix. The Wolverines have only three key contributors returning and have welcomed eight new players. Despite being without senior guard Terrance Mitchell (broken finger), the Bears have logged more time together on the court. Utah Valley, a second-year member of the Great West Athletic Conference, is trying to incorporate four junior college transfers into the mix. The teams should match up height-wise in the frontcourt. Utah Valley shot 75 percent from the foul line last season led by Swarbrick, a second-team, All-GWC pick and Baker, a first-team preseason choice.