Coach Whitehead: Paying attention to detail is a key in Vermont series

Men’s College Hockey

MAINE vs. VERMONT

Time, site: Friday, 8 p.m.; Saturday, 7 p.m., Alfond Arena, Orono

Records: Maine 2-9-1 (1-5-1 Hockey East); Vermont 2-7-2 (2-5-2 HE)

Series, last meeting: Maine leads 20-14-3, Maine 3-1 on Jan. 4

Key players: Maine — C Devin Shore (1 goal, 5 assists), LW Connor Leen (3 & 2), D Ben Hutton (1 & 4), RW Joey Diamond (1 & 3), D Mike Cornell (1 & 2), C Stu Higgins (1 & 2), G Martin Ouellette (1-3-1, 2.59 goals-against average, .904 save percentage); Vermont — LW Chris McCarthy (4 & 4), C Jacob Fallon (2 & 3), D Michael Paliotta (0 & 4), RW Pete Masar (2 & 1), RW H.T. Lenz (1 & 2), D Nick Bruneteau (1 & 2), G Brody Hoffman (2-7-2, 2.95, .906)

Maine coach Tim Whitehead’s keys to the game: “We’ve got to pay attention to detail, communicate and transition on offense and defense the puck.”

Game notes: Vermont is 57th among 59 teams in goals per game (1.67) and Maine is 58th (1.42). UVM has killed off 21 of its opponents’ last 22 power plays. UVM will be without its fifth- and sixth-leading scorers from a year ago, Colin Markison and Connor Brickley, due to injury while Maine freshman RW Ryan Lomberg is out (violation of team rules). Maine has won the last four meetings and Diamond has scored a goal in each.