One quick realization about this weekend’s field – it’s hard to argue against the idea that the four hardest-working teams in the league all made it to Albany this year. The teams that do the best job in the battles along the boards and for loose pucks will have a decided advantage this weekend.

No. 2 Cornell
Cornell: 19-8-4 (14-5-3 ECAC Hockey)
Big Red Fact: Riley Nash has points in eight of his last nine games since returning from an injury, with six goals and 12 assists for 18 points in that stretch.
How Cornell Wins: Continued production from the line of Riley Nash, Colin Greening and Patrick Kennedy will be important, but another line or defenseman can step up and fill any gaps if that top unit struggles.

No. 3 Union
Union: 20-10-6 (12-6-4 ECAC Hockey)
Dutchmen Fact: Adam Presizniuk needs three points to reach 100 career points. He’d be the first junior in Union’s Division I history to reach that mark.
How Union Wins: A relatively young defense group will need to keep the front of the net clear to aid Keith Kinkaid or Corey Milan. That should help Union’s excellent transition game.

No. 5 St. Lawrence
St. Lawrence: 19-14-7 (9-8-5 ECAC Hockey)
Saints Fact: Mike McKenzie has 49 career goals. With one more, he’ll become the first Saint with 50 goals in a career since 2006 Hobey Baker finalist T.J. Trevelyan (78 goals).
How St. Lawrence Wins: This team is finding a way and has a three-game stretch in which they’ve won late in the third period. They’re tested and coming through in late-game situations.

No. 11 Brown
Brown: 12-19-4 (6-12-4 ECAC Hockey)
Bears Fact: Brown is the lowest-seeded team to make it to the league’s championship weekend in the eight years the tournament has been held in Albany.
How Brown Wins: The Bears’ confidence is soaring right now and while observers might be surprised at what they’ve achieved, the team expects this success. They’ll need to come out and play with that swagger, and continue to get great goaltending from Mike Clemente.