The Northern Illinois University Men's Ice Hockey team traveled to Bloomington/Normal this past weekend with expectations of winning, despite going up against the #2 ISU Redbirds. 
 
On Friday night, it saw the Huskies start of sluggish as ISU poured in two quick goals in the first five minutes of play.  Despite the two goal deficit, the Huskies rallied back with goals by captain Peter Alfano, and assistant captain Matt Kieffer.  The Huskies went into the locker room tied, but ISU took advantage of some bad bounces and power plays in the second period to begin pulling away from NIU.  The final score was 9-3.  In net starting for the Huskies was Ryan Wozny, who originally was slated as backup, by Kenny Schatz re-injured his hip in warmups.  Wozny was pulled midway through the second period for Alex Alessi.

 
The Saturday afternoon contest saw the Huskies play ISU in the US Cellular Coliseum, with the Redbirds wearing pink jerseys in honor of Breat Cancer Awareness month.  The Huskies came out with vengeance as they score 13 seconds into the game, with a goal by Chris Bednarek.  The game was very much back and forth, with both teams having many power-play attempts.  Going into the third period it was a 4-3 ISU lead.  Despite playing the Redbirds close the Huskies could not take advantage of their opportunities in the third, and the Redbirds defeated the Huskies 6-3.  Alex Alessi was in net for the Huskies, stopping 26 of the 31 shots he faced.
 
The Huskies this week will play a home game on Thursday evening vs. University of Wisconsin at 8:45pm, and then travel Friday evening to Bensenville to play RMU-Black.