Although NIU hasn’t beaten Robert Morris University in over three years, sometimes losses aren’t always a bad thing.

“This team pounded us last year,” said NIU head coach Greg Chromy.

The Huskies (2-0-0-2) managed to force the Robert Morris University Eagles (2-0) into overtime in both games this weekend, but would ultimately lose 6-5 on Friday and 5-4 on Saturday.

The teams traded goals all weekend long and the first game saw neither team have more than a one goal advantage. Late in the third period NIU senior captain Mike Reporto would tie the game at four on a highlight reel goal. Reporto grabbed the puck in his own end and made a move past a back-checking winger. He carried the puck up ice, faked out a defenseman with a toe-drag move, and put the puck between the legs of the goaltender.

Reporto put the Huskies up by another goal with a slap shot from 55 feet a few minutes later. The Eagles scored just a minute later to send the game into overtime and again just 20 seconds into overtime to take the win.

Sophomore Alex Alessi kept NIU in the game by stopping a shot barrage from RMU midway through the second period. Sophomore Craig Haa got the start in net on Saturday, stopping 31 of his 36 shots faced.

The line of senior Chris Bednarek and freshmen twin brothers Jon and Brian Pounds accounted for more than half of the Huskies’ goals on the weekend. Bednarek had two goals and three assists. Jon Pounds also had two goals and one assist while Brian pounds added a goal and three assists.

Junior Mike Sible tied the second game on the power play with just over three minutes left to send the Huskies into overtime for the second straight game. Robert Morris senior Floyd Alma beat Haa just 14 seconds into overtime to get the win for the Eagles.

“We gained some respect from them,” Chromy said. “We never like to lose but taking them to extra time was good.”

The Huskies will travel to Northern Michigan University (2-2) for a two-game set this weekend.