GARDNER, Mass. (Interstat) — A critical late-season women’s NCAA Division I hockey series concludes Saturday when the Franklin Pierce Ravens host the Saint Anselm Hawks at Gardner Veterans Arena.

The matchup features two teams heading in opposite directions. The Ravens (22-11-0) enter with a five-game winning streak, while the Hawks (19-17-1) have dropped four of their last six contests. However, the recent head-to-head history is a study in contrasts, setting the stage for a volatile rubber match.

The teams split a pair of games on Feb. 20-21, with each winning on the other’s home ice. Franklin Pierce took the opener 4-2 before Saint Anselm responded with a decisive 6-2 victory the following night. The season series stands at 2-1-1 in favor of the Ravens.

A key duel will be Saint Anselm’s high-volume offense against Franklin Pierce’s stalwart goaltending. Hawks forward Brooklyn Schneiderhan has been a force, particularly against the Ravens. In the two-game set last month, she recorded four assists and 10 shots in the 6-2 win, then fired 15 shots in the 4-2 loss. She is coming off a two-goal performance in a 2-1 win at Assumption on Wednesday.

She will be opposed by Ravens goaltender Jill Hertl, who has been nearly impenetrable. Hertl stopped 50 of 52 shots in the Feb. 20 win over Saint Anselm and is riding a personal five-game win streak, allowing just two total goals in her last four starts. She made 40 saves in a 2-1 win over Stonehill on Wednesday.

Saint Anselm seeks consistency to climb above .500, while Franklin Pierce aims to solidify its standing with a 23rd win. According to Interstat’s game simulator, the Ravens are projected for a narrow 4-3 victory.

Puck drop is set for Saturday afternoon.