By Jason Devaney

As long as there is hockey, teams are going to lose games. That’s just part of the deal. There is, however, some good in being on the wrong end of a decision.

In the case of the NU hockey team, which fell to 5-8-2 after a 1-0 loss to Merrimack Saturday night, there are some things to build on.

So relax, NU Hockey Nation.

Sophomore goaltender Keni Gibson, whose record now stands at 4-5-2, stopped 19 shots in the loss. He has now let in only one goal in each of his last four games. During a few flurries in Saturday’s game, the 5-foot-10-inch, 190-pound Ontario native played more like a 6-footer.

“I though the team played pretty well,” said Gibson. “We didn’t give up too many chances. The guys are doing pretty well in front of me. That makes my job a lot easier.”

Said Crowder, “We let up only one goal, but we didn’t get any. We’re going to have nights like that.”

Gibson was named Hockey East Player of the Week on Dec. 2, the second time this season he has earned that honor. He also was given the award Oct. 28, and was the Hockey East Player of the Week Oct. 7.

Another positive for the Huskies has been its penalty killing of late. In the last six games — a stretch in which the Huskies have gone 3-3 — Crowder’s crew has successfully killed 25 of 26 penalties. That is largely due to Gibson, but the rest of the team has carried its weight in that department.

“We’re just doing the simple things, you know?” said Gibson. “The team is doing what you’re supposed to do.”

Crowder agreed, saying that the penalty kill has been a great relief to the Huskies.

“The penalty kill was excellent again,” he said. “It is two-fold; our goalkeeping has been great, and the guys have faith in the system we’re using. We’re also doing a great job in the lane to block shots.”

The Huskies did manage to get 26 shots on net, all of which were turned away by Merrimack goaltender Joe Exter. During one particular stretch in the second period, the senior from Cranston, R.I. looked to beaten on more than a few shots, only to recover and shut the door on NU. He has stopped just over 90 percent of shots he has faced this season.

“Things just go your way [sometimes], you know?” said Gibson on his counterpart.

Crowder attributed Exter’s play to the win. “When your goaltender is playing well, it makes a big difference,” he said.

And stealing an old clich