Game of the Week (12/27): Providence at Portland

What: American Hockey League
When: 7:05 p.m, Saturday
Where: Cumberland County Civic Center, Portland

PROVIDENCE (24-5-2-0, 1st in Atlantic Division): The Baby Bruins are the creme-de-la-creme of the AHL'S Eastern Conference, tearing through the league to the tune of just 5 regulation lossess. Tuukka Rask is one of just 3 goalies in the entire league with a sub-2.00 GAA (1.99) and has a stint with the parent club on the resume. Pascal Pelletier is the league's leading goal-getter with 17 goals, and he sits 5th in overall scoring with 35 points.

PORTLAND (17-12-2-1, 3rd place in Atlantic Division): The Pirates have moved into 3rd place in the division despite going just 5-4-1 in their last 10 games. Andrew Ebbett has stepped up through the team's rash of call-ups and injuries and sits 7th in the AHL in scoring at 9-25--34. Gerald Coleman, the Manchester Monarchs aside, is beginning to play very well -- and he carries a 3.06 goals against average.

YOU SHOULD KNOW: There's always a big crowd on hand at the 4 C's when Providence is in town. It's produced a spirited rivalry over the past several seasons, and it's a chance for Maine hockey fans to see Boston's top prospects up close and personal. Portland is an impressive 12-4-1 on home ice this season, and this could prove to be a great launching point for the Pirates to make a run leading up to the All-Star Game next month.