MARQUETTE, Mich. — The Northern Michigan hockey team used a three-goal first period to down Alabama-Huntsville, 3-0, Friday night at the Berry Events Center.

With the win, the Wildcats improve to 14-11-6 (11-8-4 WCHA) and clinch a Western Collegiate Hockey Association tournament berth.

Northern Michigan opened the scoring at 4:20 of the first on a textbook breakout play. From the left boards, Ryan Trenz played the puck up to Gerard Hanson on the Charger blue line. Hanson then relayed the puck to an open Dominik Shine, who beat Matt Larose top shelf from between the circles.

In the middle of the frame, the Wildcats extended their lead to 3-0 when Anthony Paskaruk and James Vermeulen netted their first career goals in a two-minute span. First, at 10:52, Barrett Kaib's point shot ricocheted off of Filip Starzynski and Paskaruk's skates and into the back of the net. Then, at 12:39, Vermeulen's point shot hit two Chargers and bounced past Larose.

Northern Michigan limited Alabama-Huntsville's chances the rest of the way, and Mathias Dahlstrom made 19 saves to earn the shutout, his first of the season.

NOTES: Northern Michigan leads the all-time series, 10-2-3 ... Shine extended his point streak to six games, matching his career best which ran from Dec. 11 to Jan. 9 ... Over his latest streak, Shine has nine points (3g-6a) ... With an assist, Kaib stretched his point streak to four games, over which he has five points (1g-4a) ... The Wildcats sent 23 shots on net during the first period, their most in a single frame this season ... Northern Michigan only reached the 20-shot plateau in a single period one other time this season, in the third (21) at Wisconsin Oct. 9 ... The Wildcats held the Chargers to just 19 shots, the least they have allowed this season ... Dahlstrom last pitched a shutout Nov. 21, 2014 at Alaska-Anchorage; Dahlstrom made 13 saves en route to a 1-0 win ... Northern Michigan last blanked an opponent Oct. 30, a 0-0 tie with Bemidji State.