MARQUETTE – The Northern Michigan University hockey Wildcats accomplished something last weekend they hadn’t done in a while – picking up a two-game sweep.

The Wildcats got a pair of wins from Alaska-Anchorage, which is important as the WCHA playoffs quickly approach and NMU is clinging to the last home playoff spot.

NMU has had several players step up during the stretch, such as Mitch Jones, Zach Urban, Zach Diamantoni and Sami Salminen, who scored the game-winner in overtime Saturday.

“I think since the beginning of the year, we’ve known that we’re going to be a team (with) depth and we’re not going to have someone that’s going to come out and get 20 goals,” NMU captain Ryan Kesti said.

“It’s really nice seeing other guys chipping in and we’re going to … continue to have that throughout the lineup if we’re going to have success.”

This week, the Wildcats head to Minnesota-Duluth to take on the No. 7-ranked Bulldogs, who are tied for third place in the National Collegiate Hockey Conference and have picked up solid victories, such as sweeps of archrival Minnesota and conference foe St. Cloud State.

They also have earned wins over top WCHA teams Minnesota State and Michigan Tech.

UMD is known for its offense and Dominic Toninato is their leader. The sophomore center leads his team with 14 goals and has 22 points.

The Bulldogs have depth, too, with 11 players in double-digit points as Tony Cameranesi and Alex Iafallo both have 13 assists.

“Duluth is having a great year and it’ll be a good challenge for us,” Wildcats head coach Walt Kyle said. “They’re really good. Their forwards are exceptional.

“We’re going to have a lot of challenges. We have a good non-conference record right now and we have to continue … with that.”

The Bulldogs also have a solid goalie in freshman Kasimir Kaskisuo, while NMU could counter with Mathias Dahlstrom.

But Dahlstrom has a lower body injury sustained in last Friday’s game, and according to Kyle, will not be available this weekend.

At Duluth, the Wildcats will send in backups Michael Doan and Derek Dun, both of whom earned victories last weekend.

“Mathias has been outstanding for us,” Kyle said. “I think he’s one of the better goaltenders in the conference, if not the country. Being without him is certainly a loss.

“I can tell you with every loss, there’s opportunity. Both of those guys came in and got wins last weekend and did a great job for us…. They are certainly capable.”

Kesti says the team is supportive of the two goalies.

“Both Doan and Dun played very well last weekend,” he said.

“We have confidence in those guys. As long as we continue to play our game, they’ll be just fine back there.”

UMD’s weakness lies with its special teams. The Bulldogs’ power play is ranked 31st in the nation, while their penalty kill is one of the worst in being ranked 42nd.

UMD is also 12th nationally in penalty minutes.

Ryan Stieg can be reached at 906-228-2500, ext. 246.