DeKALB – The early-season struggles have plagued NIU Hockey (0-8-2, 0-4 MCH), as injuries and blowout losses have piled up through the first five weeks. 

The Huskies are finally on the mend for the coming weekend, as they travel to Albert Lea, Minnesota, to take on the also winless Waldorf University Warriors (0-8-2, 0-4 MCH). 

LESSONS FROM DEFEAT

NIU is fresh off a thorough beatdown at the hands of No. 7 ranked University of Jamestown last weekend, which saw the Huskies lose by a combined score of 20-0 in the two games. 

As bad as the games were, the Huskies have remained positive and took lessons away from their worst weekend of the season. 

“We’re obviously not at our best that we can be as a team,” junior defenseman Luke Marks said. “So, we’re just going to sweep that one (the series with Jamestown) under the rug and take what we can from it and learn the lessons that we could and just move on.”

Junior defenseman Keaton Peters said despite the very lopsided scores, he felt the squad played some of its best hockey and can build on that level of play. 

“That Friday game, I think, is the best we’ve played system-wise as a group,” Peters said. “Breakouts, D zone and just the rotations as a whole.” 

RETURN OF THE ROCK

NIU has been playing with just 14 skaters in recent games due to injuries and ineligible players. But for this weekend’s games, the Huskies are finally getting good news on the injury front with the return of Marks from a wrist injury. 

“It’s going to be a huge addition getting a guy like that back,” Peters said. “I know he’s ready to go. He’s been itching to play. He’s been out there at practice this week, and he looks actually really good.”

The Huskies have struggled without Marks in the lineup, allowing over six goals in each of the last four games. 

Marks expects to bring his stable defensive presence back to a defense that has recently allowed a large amount of offense.

“I just want to bring my defensive ability back to the team,” Marks said. “Block a lot of shots and play really good defense.” 

DIFFERENT TEAMS, SIMILAR PATHS

Just as NIU was recently demolished by a top-10 team, Waldorf also enters the weekend winless and fresh off blowouts to a ranked team – a 9-1 loss and a 13-0 loss to No. 1 ranked Minot State University. 

With both squads desperate for their first win, Peters said this weekend’s series will be a dogfight. 

“It comes down to who wants it more. They’re looking at us the same way we’re looking at them – very winnable weekend.” Peters said. “I think the boys are really hungry though to get after it this weekend, and we’re looking for a sweep here. I think the boys are not going to leave Waldorf without a win.”

The Huskies clash with the Warriors at 7 p.m. Friday and 2 p.m. Saturday at the Albert Lea City Arena in Albert Lea, Minnesota. 

Both games will be streamed on the Waldorf Warrior Network.