MAINE vs. NORTHEASTERN

Time, site: Friday, Saturday, 7 p.m., Matthews Arena, Boston

Records: Maine 15-9 (8-7 Hockey East); NU 1-16-5 (1-11-5 HE)

Series, last meeting: Maine leads 40-34-15, Maine 4-2 on Dec. 28, 2005

Key players: Maine – RW Greg Moore (16 goals, 7 assists), LW Josh Soares (9 & 13), C Derek Damon (9 & 12), LW Billy Ryan (4 & 13), D Mike Lundin (1 & 10), G Ben Bishop (9-5, 2.40 goals-against average, .903 save percentage), G Matt Lundin (6-4, 1.52, .939); NU – C Jimmy Russo (5 & 11), D Steve Birnstill (1 & 11), RW Ryan Ginand (8 & 3), C Joe Vitale (5 & 4), RW Bryan Esner (4 & 4), D Chuck Tomes (1 & 2), G Adam Geragosian (1-9-5, 3.26, .897),

Outlook: Maine is just 2-4-3 in its last nine games at Matthews Arena, which is five feet wider than Alfond Arena. The Huskies snapped an eight-game losing streak with a 2-2 tie against UMass Lowell on Saturday. NU has a 14-game winless skein (0-10-4) but has allowed more than four goals just twice. The Huskies are physical and will be tough to play against. The Bears will have to match NU’s intensity and get to the net front. They must also avoid defensive zone coverage lapses that have proven costly of late. Maine will again be without standout center Michel Leveille (knee) and gritty, point-producing defenseman Bret Tyler (ankle) while NU will be without forward Joe Santilli, defenseman Andrew Linard and back-up goalie Doug Jewer. Russo is questionable with strep throat. Three of NU’s four goals against Maine this year have been shorthanded.