With just two weeks left in the regular season, three crucial America East contests take place this weekend with many as four teams able to clinch bids to the 2013 conference championship.
The action begins Friday with Albany hosting UMBC, while on Saturday, Binghamton entertains Vermont and Stony brook visits Hartford.
Friday
UMBC at Albany, 7 p.m. -- Live Video | Live Stats
The top two scoring teams in America East, Albany (9-3, 3-0 AE) and UMBC (5-6, 2-1 AE), kick off the weekend's action Friday and both teams can seal trips to the America East Championship with wins. The Great Danes lead the league and the nation, scoring 15.89 goals per game, while UMBC is second in the league, scoring 11.45 goals per contest.
Winner of five straight and eight of their last nine, Albany, which is ranked 10th in both national polls, can also earn a trip with a loss and a Stony Brook loss, as well as seal the regular-season title with a win and a Hartford loss. UMBC, winner of three of its last four, can lock up a championship bid for the 10th straight year with a win.
Saturday
Vermont at Binghamton, 12 p.m. -- Live Video | Live Stats
Binghamton (5-7, 1-2 AE) tangle with Vermont (3-9, 0-3 AE) Saturday and can earn a tournament bid with a win and a Stony Brook loss at Hartford.
The Bearcats, who missed last season's conference tournament, have dropped two straight. They lead America East, holding teams to 10.4 goals per game. The Catamounts have fallen four-straight times and need a win to keep their postseason hopes alive.
Stony Brook at Hartford, 7 p.m. -- Live Video | Live Stats
Stony Brook (5-6, 1-2 AE) Hartford (6-5, 2-1 AE) meet with major tournament implications on the line. The Seawolves need a win to better its chances of qualifying for the tournament while Hartford can seal a championship bid for the third-straight year with a win.
The two teams enter the game heading in different directions as the Hawks have won four of their last five, while the Seawolves have dropped three straight, all three results by a single goal.