NIU hockey took a break from divisional play this past weekend to showcase its skills at the Robert Morris University Showcase in Bensenville.

The Huskies (10-7-2) won two out of their three weekend games by defeating RMU-Peoria, 10-2, and RMU-Springfield, 8-4, and losing to RMU-Chicago, 5-3.

NIU started the weekend by taking advantage of an RMU-Peoria (7-6) program that began just two years ago. The Huskies scored five of their ten goals on the power play. Junior goaltender Kenny Schatz earned the victory and stopped 20 shots. Freshmen Jon Pounds and Mark Greenberg each recorded hat tricks in the game with Greenberg’s being the first of his collegiate career as NIU won in dominating fashion, 10-2.

Saturday’s contest featured a tough RMU-Chicago (7-7) team that had beaten NIU in overtime twice earlier this season. The Huskies rallied with goals by senior Peter Alfano, junior Colin Phelan and freshman Brian Pounds to tie the Ice Eagles after two periods. An NIU penalty early in the third period led to the game-winning power play goal for RMU. NIU sophomore goaltender Craig Haa took the loss as he gave up five goals. Alfano’s goal extended his point streak to nine games while he would sit out Sunday’s bout as a healthy scratch.

The final game of the weekend featured NIU facing off against RMU-Springfield (4-8-3), a team the Huskies split two games with at the end of October. All three of NIU’s goaltenders were in action this weekend with junior Alex Alessi earning the win in the final game of the Showcase. The Huskies got two goals a piece from junior Mike Sible and Jon Pounds as they cruised to an 8-4 victory.

“We should have came away with two wins when we were [in Springfield],” said NIU head coach Greg Chromy. “It was a good thing to take them this weekend.”

NIU will play three more games this weekend as it travels to Bowling Green University to take on the Falcons (10-4), a team that is ranked ninth in the ACHA Southeast region, for two games. In the only Monday game of the year for NIU on Nov. 22, NIU will face Lake Forest College at Alumni Memorial Arena in Lake Forest.

“We are still improving and need to get better in certain areas,” Chromy said. “But we are getting better and figuring out who can do what.”