MAINE vs. PROVIDENCE

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

Records: Maine 15-10-7 (10-7-5 Hockey East); Providence 19-8-5 (13-6-3 HE)

Series, last meeting: Maine leads 43-27-2; PC 5-3 on Nov. 3

Key players: Maine – C Martin Kariya (8 goals, 15 assists), C Chris Heisten (4 & 15), RW Matthias Trattnig (9 & 8), LW Michael Schutte (10 & 5), D Francis Nault (2 & 11), D Peter Metcalf (4 & 8), G Matt Yeats (13-7-4, 2.33 goals-against average, .896 save percentage); Providence – LW Devin Rask (18 & 26), C Peter Fregoe (14 & 17), D Matt Libby (10 & 18), RW Drew Omicioli (11 & 13), RW Jon DiSalvatore (7 & 15), G Nolan Schaefer (12-5-2, 2.22, .925), G Boyd Ballard (7-3-3, 2.68, .912)

Outlook: Providence has gone 0-20-1 in its last 21 games at the Alfond Arena including 12 straight losses. The Friars’ last win in Orono was an 8-6 triumph in the first game in their best-of-three NCAA Tournament quarterfinal series on March 24, 1989. Maine had won the previous six Alfond games. The Friars play a patient, disciplined style of game but they have plenty of offensive weapons. So Maine must also show some patience and not allow three-on-twos, two-on-ones and breakaways. Saco’s Libby is having a breakthrough senior season. The line of Rask-Fregoe-Omicioli is one of the best in the country and the Bears will have to find a way to neutralize them. Schaefer and Ballard are one of the top tandems around so the Bears will have to attack the net, screen them and dig for second and third shots. The Friars can’t let their long string of futility in Orono affect their play. The Friars are the most penalized team in league play and the Bears are the least penalized. But Maine’s power play is 6-for-58 in its last 10 games. Providence needs just one point to sew up second and Maine needs just one to claim home ice for the quarterfinals. A Maine sweep would catapult the Bears past the Friars. The Friars will have to protect the puck.