With a playoff spot finally clinched, the NIU hockey club can take things easy.

Defeating Palmer 4-1 last weekend, the Huskies face non-conference foes Robert Morris on Friday and Marquette on Saturday. Then they move to the Mid-American Collegiate Hockey Association Tournament starting at 7 p.m. Feb. 16.

Mike Smigiel said even with the playoffs secured, the Huskies won’t be doing anything different this weekend.

“It is nice to know that we don’t have to win in order to get into the playoffs,” Smigiel said. “But we won’t screw around out there. We want to win these two games to carry momentum into the playoffs. If we lose both games, it would be hard.”

The Huskies battle Robert Morris for the first time this season, but it’s the second time they face Marquette. NIU defeated the Golden Eagles 7-4 last week and would like to secure another victory from them.

“We want to beat Marquette because they have been ranked in the Top 10 all year,” Smigiel said. “If we beat them a second time, it would set the precedent for them because they are joining the league [MACHA] next year.”

The Huskies seek to repeat their 1996-1997 and 1997-1998 seasons of winning the Mid-American Conference hockey association championship. In the ’96-97 season, the Huskies went to the ACHA National Tournament.