For the first time in recent memory, Maine will host a two-game series against Massachusetts at Alfond Arena and will not be the prohibitive favorite.

In the last three meetings between Maine and Massachusetts, the Minutemen have won twice at Alfond and the teams tied their first meeting of this season at the Mullins Center in Amherst, Mass.

“We talked a bit to the players about last season,” Maine coach Tim Whitehead said. “It’s much like the Minnesota game to start the season. Every situation is different, even though the same teams are involved, but for the players that were here, it takes on a bit more meaning, for sure.”

Last season, Massachusetts eliminated Maine from the Hockey East playoffs with a shocking two-game sweep at Alfond in the first round.

More indicative of this season’s play, the teams skated to a 1-1 deadlock in Maine’s first run through the conference this season. Greg Moore tallied Maine’s goal in that contest on a breakaway late in the second period.

“Games are always close with them,” Whitehead said. “we both have an idea of what to expect from each other.”

For Massachusetts, the lineup is full of speedy forwards, such as Stephen Werner and Greg Mauldin, and the Minutemen also feature an offensive-minded defensive corps that can make plays in the offensive zone on a regular basis.

“We have to have a lot of respect for their team,” Whitehead said. “Their strength is their speed, and their defensemen are very good at jumping into the play to create chances.”

For the Black Bears, several players who had little opportunity to play in the first leg of the season have, thanks to injuries, played in the last few weeks. many of them, like freshman Josh Soares, have excelled.

“It’s a good problem to have,” Whitehead said. “We have several players that have come on strong once we gave them the opportunity, and now it makes the job more difficult to have to sit some of these guys.”

One player almost assured to be back in the lineup this weekend is Moore. He and Werner of Massachusetts were teammates for Team U.S.A. at the world junior tournament, and will now square off as members of their respective Hockey East teams.

Also expected back this weekend are goaltender Jimmy Howard and forward Ben Murphy.

“The biggest thing this weekend, especially against these guys, is to score on any second or third opportunities we get,” Whitehead said. “The harder we work, the better the result will be.”

jpelletier@sunjournal.com

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