It’s not just four losses in a row – consecutive NCHC series sweeps for the first time – it’s how they’re happening, and the margin by which they’re happening.

St. Cloud State defeated DU 6-2 on Saturday night on the strength of a three-goal second period, the first two of which came in the opening 1:17.

The statistic that stands out is 20-5, the combined margin by which DU has been outscored during the past two weekends. The skid is without precedent in the three-season Jim Montgomery era. The foes have been formidable – No. 4 North Dakota and the No. 6 Huskies boast two of the best offenses in NCAA hockey.

Last season, the Pioneers never lost more than two in a row. In 2013-14 they had a four-game winless streak spanning late October to early November (loss to Canisius, two losses to Nebraska Omaha and a tie vs. Colorado College). Later that season they lost four of five.

In 2012-13 they had an eight-game winless streak (0-5-3).

Pass on the seconds: The second period has not been kind to the Pioneers the past two weekends. After St. Cloud State scored three times in the middle frame Saturday to make it 4-1 that gave DU opponents nine goals against in just the second period the past four games.

“(St. Cloud State) is a really good hockey team,” Montgomery said. “They come at you in waves. They have three lines that can make you pay. I thought that they dominated the game the first five minutes, then our power play gave us momentum and we carried the play the last 15 of the first.

“Then we started the second and they got two goals we wished we could have had back.”

St. Cloud tallied twice in the second Friday, North Dakota had one last Saturday and three the night before.

Changes in net: Evan Cowley was pulled after allowing two goals in the first 1:17 of the second period, and from the sounds of things the Pioneers’ goaltending timeshare is over. When asked if Cowley and Tanner Jaillet would continue to split starts when the Pioneers resume their season Jan. 1-2, Montgomery answered succinctly. “No.”

It marked the second time in his past three starts Cowley has been pulled.

Jaillet, who replaced Cowley, was pulled in favor of junior Greg Ogard at the first media stoppage in the third period after allowing his second goal following a defensive breakdown.

“I thought Tanner got hung out to dry,” Montgomery said.

Hillman out: Freshman defenseman Blake Hillman was not on the bench in the third period. Montgomery said Hillman tweaked a hip flexor and would be fine for the series against Notre Dame on Jan. 1-2.

He was starting to take on a larger role and played much of the first two periods with senior Nolan Zajac.

Welcome back, Hawk: When Brad Hawkinson returned to the lineup Saturday it capped a frustrating two months for the affable redshirt sophomore. Listed as a forward, he played in his second game of the season, both on defense.

He played a period and a half in the Pioneers’ season-opening loss at Air Force before sustaining an upper body injury. After a month of rehab and training, he was ready to go when DU traveled to Boston last month, only to tweak the injury in practice before the Boston College game. So it was another month of rehab for the player known as Hawk.

During our conversations this season, he repeatedly talked about wanting to contribute this season after missing the vast majority of his first two in Denver because of injuries.

He started Saturday’s game paired with Adam Plant.

Take a break: The Pioneers now have two weeks off before returning to practice the day after Christmas. The hope is that a reboot occurs during the time away.

“Mentally it’s a good thing right now,” Montgomery said. “I’ve been fortunate. I’ve had nothing but success as a head coach. I’ve never been through something like this.

“The only way I know you get of this from my pro career as a player is you go back to work. Start getting back to what your team identity is. And as coaches we’ve got to make sure our details are really good when we come back so we give ourselves a chance and we’re not chasing the game like you just saw.

“It’s a mental break but it’s not a physical break. They’ve got to keep their fitness.”

@MagnessMayhem