New for the 2011-2012 seasons, the America East Daily Word, a collaboration between AmericaEast.com and AExtra, will recap the previous day's games and on goings on our nine campuses and provide links to previews, recaps, features and exclusive coverage.

Playing at Fenway Park is an experience like no other. The tradition, the history, the atmosphere.

And we aren’t even talking about baseball.

Three America East schools that sponsor men’s ice hockey will have a chance to experience Fenway in its most unique form – as an ice rink. Maine, New Hampshire and Vermont will all take the ice in one of sports’ most storied venues this weekend.

Vermont takes on UMass on Saturday afternoon before Maine and New Hampshire battle in the nightcap.

New Hampshire hopes that the Fenway will turn its season around. While admitting it will be an exciting experience, the Wildcats know the game is a crucial one for them in Hockey East. UNH picked up a 4-3 win over Maine earlier this season. Check out the pregame coverage from Foster’s Daily Democrat and the Union Leader.

Maine, meanwhile, is on a tear as of late going 7-1-1 in its last nine games including a nice 3-1 over Vermont on Wednesday. The Black Bears also recently won the Florida College Classic with wins over Clarkson and UMass. The Maine alumni teams swept the New Hampshire teams on Thursday night setting the stage for the current Black Bears to pick up the trifecta over the archrival Wildcats. The Bangor Daily News has more.

Vermont has taken its fair share of bumps this year but head coach Kevin Sneddon wants his players to enjoy Fenway and “soak in the fun” of the event. Still, though, the Cats understand the importance of the game if they are to make a run here in the second half of the season. Sneddon appeared on NESN last night during the Bruins game against Calgary. Check out his interview, here.

For more of the Daily Word, check out the AExtra blog.