Men’s college hockey
MAINE vs. CANISIUS
Time, site: Friday, Saturday, 7 p.m., Alfond Arena, Orono
Records: Maine 4-13-1, Canisius 6-6-5
Series, last meeting: Maine 1-0, Maine 6-3 on Oct. 23, 1999
Key players: Maine — RW Blaine Byron (8 goals, 6 assists), C Cam Brown (5 & 8), C Devin Shore (4 & 7), Ben Hutton (4 & 6), C Steven Swavely (3 & 7), G Sean Romeo (2-9, 3.33 goals-against average, .899 save percentage), G Matt Morris (2-4-1, 3.43, .886) Canisius— LW Shane Conacher (5 & 14), RW Ralph Cuddemi (9 & 8), RW Cody Freeman (6 & 8), D Chris Rumble (3 & 7), RW Nolan Sheeran (2 & 7), G Keegan Asmundson (2-4-3 2.78, .905), G Reilly Turner (4-2-2, 2.59, .908)
Game notes: Both teams are looking to get off to a good start to the second half. Maine lost nine of its last 10 prior to the break, including its last three home games, and the Black Bears will be seeking a pair of consistent performances which rarely occurred in the first half. Maine must also receive better goaltending. Maine has been outscored 53-29 over the last two periods and overtime after matching its opponent 14-14 in the first period. Coach Dave Smith’s Golden Griffins won the Atlantic Hockey Tournament two years ago and lost in the first round of the NCAA Tournament to eventual finalist Quinnipiac 4-3. They reached the Atlantic Hockey final a year ago, losing to Robert Morris 7-4. The Golden Griffins lost two of their top three scorers off last year’s 17-21-3 team along with workhorse goalie Tony Copobianco. Cuddemi was the second-leading point-getter with 15 goals and 17 assists. Junior Asmundson has played 29 career games and Turner is a freshman. Canisius has the nation’s 13th best power play (21.1 percent). Maine is 47th on the penalty kill (79.4 percent efficiency). Byron has four goals and an assist in his last three games.