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Northern Star

Northern Illinois University’s student media since 1899

 

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The Student News Site of Northern Illinois University

Northern Star

The Student News Site of Northern Illinois University

Northern Star

Freshman forward Jeff Shirkey battles for the puck against a Kent State defender on Sept.15. The Huskies have struggled to open the season, losing their first eight games. (Courtesy of NIU Hockey)

COLUMN: How NIU Hockey can turn its season around

By Alex Crowe, Assistant Sports Editor | October 11, 2023

To say the start of the 2023-2024 season has been a disappointment is a massive understatement for NIU Hockey, who have yet to win a game with a quarter of the season in the books. A season that began with so much optimism – due to the eight new...

Junior forward Jay Kliment forechecks a Kent State defender on Sept. 16. Kliment scored the lone goal for NIU in the teams' 6-1 loss to Midland on Saturday. (Courtesy of NIU Hockey)

Short-handed Huskies fall in Midland hockey finale

By Alex Crowe, Assistant Sports Editor | October 7, 2023

FREMONT – As Midland University (3-2, 3-1 MCH) senior forward Trevor Timm celebrated potting his team's sixth goal of the game late in the third period, the 14 skaters dressed for NIU Hockey (0-6-2, 0-2 MCH) skated back to its bench, taking deep breaths...

Freshman forward Robbie Zimmerman battles for the puck in front of the net on Sept. 16. Zimmerman scored a hat-trick in Friday's game against Midland University. (Courtesy of NIU Hockey)

Depleted Huskies drop conference opener

By Alex Crowe, Assistant Sports Editor | October 7, 2023

FREMONT – Through a plethora of injuries, ineligible players and other forms of adversity, NIU hockey (0-5-2, 0-1 MCH) battled to the bitter end but came up just short in it’s conference-opening, high-scoring 7-6 defeat to the Midland University Warriors...

Junior defenseman Keaton Peters defends on Sept. 15 in NIU's defensive zone. The Huskies fell in their home opener by a final score of 8-2. (Courtesy of NIU Hockey)

Hockey opens conference slate at Midland

By Alex Crowe, Assistant Sports Editor | October 4, 2023

DeKALB – With heartbreak in the rearview mirror, NIU hockey is gearing up to kick off Midwest College Hockey action against the Midland University Warriors in a two-game road series. The Huskies are fresh off two heartbreaking defeats against Western...

Graduate forward Rodahn Evans screens the Kent State goalie during NIU hockey's game against Kent State University on Sept. 16. The Huskies fell to the Golden Flashes by a final score of 4-3. (Courtesy of NIU hockey)

Hockey falls in overtime thriller

By Alex Crowe, Assistant Sports Editor | September 30, 2023

KALAMAZOO – Another game resulted in another heartbreak for NIU hockey (0-4-2), who dropped an overtime thriller to sophomore forward Connor Braate and the rest of the Western Michigan University Stallions (3-4) by a final score of 3-2 on Saturday.  Braate,...

Sophomore forward Evan Rzeszutko forechecks a Kent State defender on Sept. 16. The Huskies fell to the Golden Flashes by a final score of 4-3. (Courtesy of NIU hockey)

Hockey drops heartbreaker in Kalamazoo

By Alex Crowe, Assistant Sports Editor | September 30, 2023

KALAMAZOO – A deke to the backhand and a top-shelf shot was the dagger that put NIU hockey (0-4-1) away in a heartbreaking 3-2 shootout loss to the Western Michigan University Stallions (2-4) Friday in Kalamazoo, Michigan.  After five minutes of...

Freshman forward Robbie Zimmerman and junior forward Jay Kliment celebrate a goal during NIU hockey's game against Kent State University on Sept. 16. NIU lost the game by a final score of 4-3. (Beverly Buchinger | NIU hockey)

NIU hockey working to complete puzzle

By Alex Crowe, Assistant Sports Editor | September 27, 2023

DeKALB – A losing streak, power play issues and the search for team chemistry is on the minds of NIU hockey heading into its two-game road series this weekend.  The Huskies are in the midst of a season-opening four-game losing streak, including...

Freshman defenseman Jim Franklin and freshman forward Micah Maldonado rush the puck up the ice during NIU hockey's game against Kent State University on Sept. 16. NIU lost the game by a final score of 4-3. (Beverly Buchinger | NIU hockey)

Illinois sneaks past hockey in close contest

By Alex Crowe, Assistant Sports Editor | September 24, 2023

CHAMPAIGN – A second-period face mask penalty ended up making a big difference in NIU hockey’s (0-4) series finale at the University of Illinois (2-0), who dropped a tight contest by a final score of 4-2.  Huskie freshman forward Micah Maldonado...

Graduate forward Nick Gonzalez celebrates after scoring a goal in NIU hockey's game against Kent State University on Sept. 16. The Huskies lost the game by a final score of 4-3. (Beverly Buchinger | NIU hockey)

Hockey shutout in Champaign

By Alex Crowe, Assistant Sports Editor | September 23, 2023

CHAMPAIGN – Despite a heroic performance from junior goaltender Grant Goodson, NIU hockey (0-3) couldn’t find any offense in its 4-0 shutout loss to the University of Illinois (1-0) Friday. The Huskies have lost their first three contests, giving...

Freshman defenseman Jim Franklin rushes the puck into the offensive zone during NIU hockey's game against Kent State University on Sept. 15. Franklin scored his first collegiate goal in the game. (Beverly Buchinger | NIU hockey)

Hockey seeks revenge in first road series

By Alex Crowe, Assistant Sports Editor | September 20, 2023

DeKALB – After a disappointing opening weekend series against Kent State University, NIU hockey (0-2) is gearing up to travel downstate for a road matchup with the University of Illinois (0-0).  The Huskies dropped their two-game set to Kent State...

NIU graduate forward Nick Gonzalez rushes the puck up the ice during NIU hockey's exhibition game against the Wisconsin Rapids Riverkings on Sept. 8. Gonzalez scored NIU's third goal in the team's 4-3 loss to Kent State on Saturday. (Beverly Buchinger | NIU hockey)

Comeback bid fails, Kent State sweeps Huskies

By Alex Crowe, Assistant Sports Editor | September 16, 2023

WEST DUNDEE – A strong comeback effort fell short for NIU hockey (0-2) Saturday, who dropped a tightly-contested matchup with Kent State University (4-0) by a final score of 4-3. The Huskies trailed 4-1 before a goal by graduate forward Rodahn Evans...

Freshman forward Micah Maldonado shoots the puck during NIU hockey's exhibition game against the Wisconsin Rapids Riverkings on Sept. 8. The Huskies dropped their home opener to Kent State Friday by a score of 8-2. (Beverly Buchinger | NIU hockey)

Kent State pummels hockey in home opener

By Alex Crowe, Assistant Sports Editor | September 16, 2023

WEST DUNDEE – Despite a strong start to the game, NIU hockey was handled easily in its home opener by Kent State University by a final score of 8-2.  The Huskies tallied just three minutes into the game off the stick of freshman forward Micah Maldonado,...