The NIU hockey club will host two games against Robert Morris College this weekend, and is looking for its first two-game sweep of the season.

The first game is at 10 p.m. Friday at the Carlson Arctic Ice Arena and the second is at 6 p.m. Saturday at the Riverview Ice House. Both arenas are in Rockford.

NIU, the reigning Mid-American College Hockey Association champion, has had a rough start, going 1-5 against teams that are all in Division-I play. NIU plays in Division-II.

“We have started out the season on a tough schedule, playing the top three teams in the nation,” NIU hockey club president Darcy Follard said.

Follard likes NIU’s chances of repeating as champions with a team that he said is young, but full of talent.

“Our forwards are very skillful and creative; very fun to watch,” Follard said. “We easily have three solid offensive lines.”

He said the top offensive threats on the team are himself, Erik Hummel and Mark Mutton. Follard said NIU’s defense could be better.

“Though weak on defense, Rich Pierzynski, Josh Kane and Kevin Havlick have been holding everything together,” Follard said.

Backing those defensemen up, Follard said, NIU has three equally talented goaltenders that help when the defense breaks down.

Each weekend, the NIU hockey club plays a two-game set against another college hockey club. The games are not held as double-headers, but instead are played on back-to-back days.

NIU has scheduled two charity games to be played later in the season against the Chicago Police Department and the Rockford Firemen.