Coming off its first two wins of the season, the Eastern hockey club now prepares for its next opponent, in-state rival Northern Illinois.

The Panthers and Huskies square off at 7:30 p.m. Friday and then again at 3 p.m. Saturday. Both games are at the Leafs Ice Centre in West Dundee. Admission is $6.

The Panthers swept Wright State for their first two wins of the season last Friday and Saturday at the club’s home ice at the David S. Palmer Arena in Danville. The Panthers won 6-5 in a shootout on Friday and then followed it up with a 5-4 win on Saturday.

Senior Glenn Oskvarek had a hat trick in Friday’s win, while freshman forward Tommy Stobart recorded the shootout goal to secure the victory. Stobart followed up Friday’s performance with the game-winning goal on Saturday, putting the Panthers at 2-6 for the year. Senior Andrew Teske led the Panthers in goal in both wins.

Junior Brock Drews is listed as questionable with an injury, while senior Ryan Howard is probable. Freshman Tommy Minard is out.

This weekend’s opponent, Northern Illinois, comes in at 5-4, currently on a five game winning streak. Senior forward Justin Rucinski leads the team with four goals and seven assists. Freshman Jake Leon is 2-1 in net for the Huskies so far this season.

Northern Illinois will be wearing pink jerseys during the series for its annual Pink-in-the-Rink event. The goal is to raise $1,000 in donations and $2,000 in jersey auction proceeds. Donations can be directly to Susan G. Komen Passionately Pink website, through donations at the ticket office on game day or by bidding on jerseys.

Dominic Renzetti can be reached at 581-2812 or dcrenzetti@eiu.edu.