NIU men’s hockey D II defeated Northern Michigan Friday 6-4.

“I thought we played the body, which in turn gave us the puck on some key turnovers,” said Greg Chromy, NIU head men’s hockey coach.

One unit that stood out in the coach’s mind was the one that patrols NIU’s (5-4-1) blue line, the defense.

“I thought the defense played very well,” Chromy said. “They had some good shots. They were moving the puck well. They step their game up, which helped us. They were making good passes, which in turn gave our forwards an opportunity to get the puck in the zone.”

NIU senior captain Mike Sible said a lot can be gained from the victory Friday.

“We need to build off the intensity level that we brought last night,” Sible said.

Huskies’ sophomore defense Mike Hanson scored a goal and had three assists in the victory over the Wildcats.

The Huskies did something Saturday night that they haven’t done all season; sweep a weekend series.

NIU beat Northern Michigan (14-3-1) by a score of 2-1, handing the Wildcats their first back-to-back losses of the season.

Huskies’ goalie Nick Bonin stopped 28 shots for the win.

Chromy said there was one particular stretch when Bonin was outstanding.

“It was a five on three for almost 2 minutes, and he was from post-to post making saves.” Chromy said, “He had a great game.”