Game-day information: Game 13 vs. No. 1/1 Providence
When	Saturday, Nov. 21, 7:30 p.m.
Where	Boston, Mass.  |  Matthews Arena  |  Directions
Broadcast and stats	Live Stats  |  Video  |  Audio  |  Tickets
Notes and yearbook	Game Notes  |  2015-16 Yearbook
Promotions	Military Appreciation Night
Social media	@GoNUmhockey  facebook.com/GoNUmhockey instagram.com/GoNUathletics  Use GoNU and HomecomingNU

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. Northeastern is 7-8-7 all-time against the No. 1 team in the USCHO.com poll. When those games are played at Matthews Arena, however, Northeastern is 6-1-3 with the last win coming on Oct. 13, 2012 against Boston College.
 
Tonight's promotions
Tonight is Military Appreciation Night at Matthews Arena, and the Huskies will be wearing camouflage jerseys during tonight's contest. After the game, NU will hold an online auction where fans can bid on the game-worn jerseys, with proceeds benefitting Northeastern's Student Veterans Organization, Home Base Program and Massachusetts Fallen Heroes.
 
Prior to the game, Massachusetts State Senator Michael Rush will be on hand for a ceremonial puck drop at center ice with the team's captains. Senator Rush is an Iraq War Veteran and a Lieutenant in the United States Navy where, for 16 years, he has served in the Reserves following active duty boot camp. Prior to serving as a commissioned officer, Rush worked on peacetime construction projects as an enlisted sailor with Naval Mobile Construction Battalion 27—better known as the "Seabees."
 
Members of veterans groups, including Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America (IAVA), Rally Point, Mission Continues, Team Red White and Blue, VA Healthcare and the Home Base Program will be on hand throughout the evening in the Matthews Arena lobby. NU camouflage Hats will also be available for a $5 donation to the New England Center for Homeless Veterans.
 
The all-time series with the Friars
The Huskies and Friars have met 151 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 81-53-17 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 18-17-10 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 7-0-3, 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 14 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 6-0-3 through his nine 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 10 games, seniors Mark Jankowski (6-7-13), Nick Saracino (3-10-13), and Mingoia (2-10-12) 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 (16) while still cleaning up his defensive zone, sitting fourth on the team in blocked shots (eight).
 
Recapping last night's game at Providence
A goal and an assist from Zach Aston-Reese gave Northeastern a 2-1 lead early in the second period, but No. 1 Providence responded with the game's final four goals to top the Huskies on Friday night at Schneider Arena, 5-2.
 
Garret Cockerill also scored for Northeastern, his third goal in the last four games, while Ryan Ruck made 24 saves in goal. Nick Saracino (three assists) and Mark Jankowski (two goals) led the Friars, who received 21 stops from Nick Ellis.
 
PC outshot NU 29-23 in the game and won 35-of-58 face-offs. The Huskies went 1-of-4 on the power play while Providence went 2-of-6.
 
Taking on the best
Saturday will mark the 46th time that Northeastern has played the defending national champion. NU is 14-29-2 in those games, which date back to 1949, and last topped the defending national champion on Oct. 13, 2012 when NU defeated Boston College, 3-1.
 
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).
 
(A)ston-Reese
Prior to this weekend's set with the Friars, head coach Jim Madigan named Zach Aston-Reese as an assistant captain. Aston-Reese joins Matt Benning, Mike McMurtry and John Stevens as Huskies who will wear an 'A' this season.
 
Points from the point
Northeastern has received significant production from its defensemen in the offensive end of the ice so far this season. Blueliners have three of the Huskies last four goals, and NU is tied for seventh in the country in goals from defensemen (eight) this season. Garret Cockerill leads all point men with three goals this year.
 
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.