Men’s Hockey
MAINE vs. No. 7 UMass Lowell
Time, site: Saturday, 8 p.m., Tsongas Arena, Lowell, Massachusetts
Records: Maine 3-11-1 (2-5 Hockey East); UML 9-3-3 (6-0-2)
Series, last meeting: Maine leads 78-34-4, 1-1 tie on 1/17/14
Key players: Maine — C Cam Brown (5 goals, 7 assists), RW Blaine Byron (4 & 5), C/RW Steven Swavely (3 & 6), LW Connor Leen (5 & 2), C Devin Shore (4 & 3), D Ben Hutton (2 & 3), G Sean Romeo (1-7, 3.22 goals-against average, .899 save pct.); UML— C Joe Gambardella (6 & 7), LW C.J. Smith (5 & 8), C Evan Campbell (4 & 7), D Michael Kapla (3 & 8), D Dylan Zink (3 & 8), D Jake Suter (1 & 9), G Kevin Boyle (6-1-3, 2.57, .911)
Game notes: Despite losing five of their top nine scorers and first-team All-America goalie Connor Hellebuyck, the River Hawks are off to a terrific start as they seek a fourth consecutive NCAA tournament appearance. They have received game-winning goals from seven different players. The River Hawks are the nation’s No. 2 scoring team (3.80 goals per game), while Maine is 53rd in team defense (3.67 gpg allowed). Maine has lost seven straight. UML is 5-4-1 in the last 10 meetings with Maine and every game has been decided by two goals or less, including six one-goal games. The River Hawks have the nation’s ninth-best power play (22.6 percent). Maine has received three, five-minute major penalties over the last four games which led to two game-winning goals. Maine must do a better job getting to the net front and its slump-riddled power play (0-for-22) has to move the puck quicker and make good entries into the zone.
Men’s Basketball
MAINE vs. DARTMOUTH
Time, site: Saturday, 3 p.m.; Hanover, New Hampshire
Records: Maine 1-5, Dartmouth 1-4
Series, last meeting: tied 10-10, Dartmouth 81-56 on 12/1/13
Key players: Maine — 6-5 G Shaun Lawton (12.8 points per game, 3.0 assists per game, 2.7 steals per game), 6-8 F Till Gloger (10.8 ppg, 3.8 rpg, .643 FG pct.), 6-5 G Zarko Valjarevic (9.2 ppg, 4.5 rpg), 5-11 G Aaron Calixte (8.2 ppg, 3.5 apg), 6-5 G/F Garet Beal (8.0 ppg), 6-7 Marko Pirovic (7.8 ppg, 5.3 rpg); Dartmouth — 5-11 G Alex Mitola (14.0 ppg, 2.9 apg), 6-9 F/C Gabas Maldunas (9.7 ppg, 6.2 rpg, 2.0 blocks per game), 6-7 F Connor Boehm (9.6 ppg, 8.6 rpg), 6-4 G Miles Wright (6.6 ppg), 5-9 G Malik Gill (5.2 ppg, 3.9 apg).
Game notes: The Black Bears hope to seize the momentum from Tuesday night’s thrilling overtime win against Wagner and take it back on the road. UMaine exhibited intense defense and executed in key situations to provide coach Bob Walsh with his first Division I victory. The Big Green have dropped two straight, including Wednesday’s 74-73 setback at Longwood. Dartmouth also lost to New Hampshire 65-63 on Nov. 30. The Big Green are paced by Mitola’s outside game and have an inside presence with Maldunas and Boehm. UMaine looks to limit turnovers (17.6 per game) and beef up its rebounding presence behind the play of Pirovic.
Women’s Basketball
MAINE vs. HARVARD
Time, site: Sunday, 2 p.m., Cross Insurance Center, Bangor
Records: Maine 4-3, Harvard 4-3
Series, last meeting: Maine leads 6-5, Harvard 73-54 on 11/13/10
Key players: Maine — 5-8 G Sigi Koizar (15.7 ppg, 4.1 rpg, 2.3 apg, 2.3 spg), 5-10 F Liz Wood (15.1 ppg, 5.6 rpg, 3.4 apg, 2.3 spg), 5-8 G Sophie Weckstrom (6.7 ppg), 6-3 F Anna Heise (6.1 ppg, 2.4 rpg), 5-8 G Lauren Bodine (4.7 ppg), 6-2 F Mikaela Gustafsson (3.9 ppg, 2.3 rpg); Harvard — 6-4 F Temi Fagbenle (15.6 ppg, 12.3 rpg, 2.3 apg, 1.7 spg), 6-1 F Erin McDonnell (13.6 ppg, 7.6 rpg), 6-1 F Annmarie Healy (12.9 ppg, 6.6 rpg), 5-9 G Ali Curtis (7.9 ppg, 4.3 apg), 5-10 G Kit Metoyer (6.1 ppg, 2.9 apg).
Game notes: The Black Bears are home for the fifth time this season as they attempt to extend their three-game winning streak. UMaine is coming off Wednesday’s resilient 72-58 win at Central Connecticut during which it wiped out a 17-point, first-half deficit and piled up 48 second-half points. The Crimson will try to win two in a row for the first time this season after beating Massachusetts 75-62 on Wednesday. Harvard has rebounded well behind the versatile Fagbenle and features good overall height. UMaine’s ability to limit turnovers and second-chance points will be key factors as will its offensive execution against a team that has allowed 73.6 ppg.