Game-day information: Game 12 at No. 1/1 Providence
When	Friday, Nov. 20, 7 p.m.
Where	Providence, R.I.  |  Schneider Arena  |  Directions
Broadcast and stats	TELEVISION: Cox Sports Live Stats  |  Video  |  Audio  |  Tickets
Notes and yearbook	Game Notes  |  2015-16 Yearbook
Promotions	n/a
Social media	@GoNUmhockey  facebook.com/GoNUmhockey instagram.com/GoNUathletics  Snapchat: GoNUathletics Use #GoNU

BOSTON -- The Northeastern men's ice hockey team will face its toughest test of the season to date this weekend when the Huskies take on the No. 1 team in the land and defending national champion Providence. The Huskies are 14-28-2 all-time against the defending national champion, with their last win coming on Oct. 13, 2012 against Boston College.
 
The all-time series with the Friars
The Huskies and Friars have met 150 times in program history, dating back to their first meeting in 1953. Providence has the upper hand over Northeastern in their history as rivals, holding a record of 80-53-17 against the Huskies. Since their first meeting in 1953, Northeastern has faced Providence at least once in every calendar year, with the exception of 1954. Of late, the all-time series has leveled out. Since 2000, Northeastern owns a record of 18-16-10 against the Friars.
 
These foes split the season series a year ago, with the road team earning the win in each game. The Friars came to Matthews Arena on Wednesday, Dec. 3 last season on a three-game winning streak, during which they shutout each opponent they faced. Colton Saucerman gave NU the 1-0 lead late in the first period, snapping Providence's shutout streak at 239:32. Periods two and three were all Providence, as Trevor Mingoia and Ross Mauermann each posted two goals and one assist in the 5-1 rout. The Huskies answered with a strong showing three days later in Rhode Island. Saucerman tallied his second goal in as many games and Zach Aston-Reese netted the eventual game-winner in the second period.
 
Scouting Providence
The defending national champion Providence Friars currently hold the number one ranking in the NCAA. With a record of 6-0-3, they've picked up right where they left off last season when they stormed through the NCAA tournament, culminating with a 4-3 win over Boston University at TD Garden. Their 13 game unbeaten streak dates back to March 15 of last season when they lost in overtime of game three of the Hockey East Quarterfinals to New Hampshire. The Friars haven't been defeated in regulation since Notre Dame downed them 2-0 on Feb. 13 last year.
 
After goalie Jon Gillies left Providence for the NHL during the summer, junior Nick Ellis has taken over between the pipes for the Friars. Ellis has posted a record of 5-0-3 through his eight starts and remains the only undefeated goalie in Hockey East. Up front, Providence's senior class has contributed in a big way early in this season. Through nine games, seniors Mingoia (2-10-12), Mark Jankowski (4-7-11) and Nick Saracino (3-7-10) have helped lead the Friar attack. On the back end, sophomore Jake Walman has emerged as a top offensive-defenseman. He leads the team in goals (nine) and points (14) while still cleaning up his defensive zone, sitting fourth on the team in blocked shots (seven).
 
Recapping last Friday's game vs. Notre Dame
Northeastern fought back to erase a two-goal deficit to net the tying goal with 4:07 left in regulation to pick up a point in the league standings against No. 18 Notre Dame on Friday night at Compton Family Ice Arena, 2-2.
 
Matt Benning buried the equalizer late in the third period with a power play goal from the point, while Garret Cockerill also scored for the Huskies. Ryan Ruck made 23 stops in goal as NU outshot the Fighting Irish, 34-25. Jake Evans and Connor Hurley each scored for UND, and got 32 saves from Cal Petersen. Northeastern went 1-of-4 on the man advantage while Notre Dame was 1-of-5 and won 29-of-54 face-offs.
 
That was a close one
The Huskies have found themselves in several tight games so far this season, including six one-goal games. That's the most in Hockey East and tied for the second most in the nation. Of the nine teams that have played in at least five one-goal games, three will be participating in next week's Friendship Four in Belfast, Northern Ireland (Colgate, Northeastern, UMass Lowell).
 
Heading into enemy territory
Since Jim Madigan took the reins of the program in 2011, Northeastern hasn't been afraid to take on some of the nation's top teams away from the friendly confines of Matthews Arena. Since the 2011-12 season, the Huskies have defeated eight top-ten teams on the road (USCHO.com poll), including two last season. In those games, NU outscored its opponents 36-18.
 
Road trip!
Boston Mayor Martin J. Walsh has joined Councillor Arder Carson, Lord Mayor of Belfast, Northern Ireland and representatives from the hockey community to announce "The Friendship Four," an international hockey tournament in Belfast from November 27-28 featuring hockey teams from Northeastern, UMass Lowell, Brown and Colgate competing for the Belpot Trophy.
 
Northeastern and UMass Lowell will square off on Nov. 27 at 2:30 p.m. (ET) with Hockey East points on the line before Brown and Colgate take the ice in the nightcap. The winners of each game will square off for the Belpot the following night. The Friendship Four will be held at the Belfast Giants/Odyssey Arena.
 
The road ahead
Northeastern will travel across the Atlantic on Monday in anticipation of the first-ever Friendship Four in Belfast, Northern Ireland. NU will take on No. 5 UMass Lowell on Friday before battling either Brown or Colgate the following night.