Hockey East semifinal

MAINE vs. PROVIDENCE

Time, site: Saturday, 1 p.m.; Matthews Arena, Boston

Records: Maine 12-15-4, PC 19-13-2

Series, last meeting: PC leads 14-1-2; PC 5-0 on 2/8/04

Key players: Maine – LW Meagan Aarts (12 goals, 13 assists), C Tristan Desmet (12 & 11), RW Karen Droog (12 & 8), LW Sonia Corriveau (10 & 3), D Morgan Janusc (1 & 11), D Kelly Law (2 & 7), G Lara Smart (10-15-4, 2.52 GAA, .920 save percentage); Providence – D Kelli Halcisak (18 & 26), C Rush Zimmerman (16 & 24), RW Darlene Stephenson (10 & 25), LW Sonny Watrous (15 & 11), C Ashley Payton (13 & 13), D Meridith Roth (6 & 14), G Jana Bugden (11-12-2, 2.32, .901)

Outlook: The Black Bears finally picked up their first-ever win over the Friars earlier this season in Orono 3-2. Aarts has four of Maine’s six goals vs. the Friars. PC is 3-1 against the Bears. Halcisak leads the Friars in shots on goal with 151 and Maine’s forwards will have to keep an eye on her at the point or when she jumps into the attack. She has scored in all four games against the Bears. Maine will have to drive to the net and try to generate traffic and second shots against Bugden. Maine has won four of its last five and will be rested. They haven’t played in two weeks. Injuries to Andrea Steranko and Katie Sunstrom have hurt Maine’s depth up front. Providence is a physical team and Maine is going to have to hold its own along the boards and in the corners.