Summer is upon us and you might be wondering, “What do you guys do in the summer?”

Well, we actually stay quite busy. Our marketing team is in the process of some serious turnover as some of our senior interns have moved on to greener pastures. So, we have a new crop of pre-interns working through the process of learning all about Cyclone Hockey. Our graphic design team is in the final stages of completing the poster for next season as well as pocket schedules, season tickets and the cover for the game program. We have two new leaders of the group sales team looking into game night promotions for next season as well as calling upon new groups and groups from the past. Cyclone Hockey loves having groups at our games and we offer great discounts and incentives as well. Our Hall of Fame / Alumni Weekend has been set for October 1-3 and is starting to take shape with hotel reservations, distribution of fliers, catering arrangements and everything else that goes along with it. Coaches Murdoch and Wierson have been recruiting and will now hit the streets renewing corporate sponsors for the upcoming season.

Cyclone Hockey is also excited to meet 1999 alum, Trevor Turnbull. He will be visiting Thursday and Friday of this week to help the team in its’ quest to exceed sales from the previous year. He will help coordinate the Cyclone Hockey website and all of our social media to have them work together.

The April / May newsletter should be released soon, so keep your eyes open for that as well. If you are looking for any other information regarding the Cyclones and what we are up to this summer, check out our website at http://www.cyclonehockey.com

See you at the rink!

Jan. 22, 2010 – Champaign, Ill. – The Cyclones traveled to Champaign for a crucial two game series with the University of Illinois. The Illini are currently ranked fourth in the latest ACHA rankings while the Cyclones remain sixth. With each game this weekend worth two points in CSCHL standings, the Cyclones were looking to move up and have the chance to secure a regular season winning record against Illinois in quite some time. By winning 1-0 Friday night, Iowa State earned at least a regular season split with the always tough Illini.

“We’re not coming here looking for splits, we are coming here to win and keep building toward the stretch run of our season,” commented head coach, Dr. Alan Murdoch.  

The first period of play started out with both teams feeling each other out while the Cyclones quickly adjusted to the big ice in Champaign. Iowa State’s speed players adjusted even better putting instant pressure on the Illini defense and garnering several early first period shots. The Cyclones continued that pressure ending the period with seven total shots on net while Illinois only managed four. The score remained knotted at zero as the two teams headed to the locker room.

The Illini earned the first power play of the game when Iowa State’s Brian Spring (Urbandale, IA / North Iowa Outlaws – NAHL) was whistled for interference during the first shift. During the first series in Ames, three of the four Illini goals were scored on the power play, so the Cyclones stressed penalty killing throughout the week. The time spent there paid off as Iowa State successfully killed off two Illini power plays in the period. Just over one minute after the first successful kill, Mike Lebler (Penticton, BC / Nelson Leafs – KIJHL) streaked into the Illini zone slicing through the slot where he sniped over the shoulder of Mike Burda for the first lead of the game. The Illini would mount several surges throughout the period, but Iowa State held steady and ended the period with a power play of their own. Illinois outshot Iowa State 13-8 for the period, but Erik Hudson (Spokane, WA / Burnaby Express – BCHL) held strong to deny them all. Iowa State took the 1-0 lead and 1:03 remaining on the power play into the second intermission.

On fresh ice, the Cyclones looked to build on their lead. They moved the puck efficiently and had a couple of quality scoring chances but none good enough to beat Burda. With both teams at even strength, the play would go back and forth for the remainder of the game with both goaltenders making key saves to keep the margin at one goal. The Illini did not help their chances when captain Pierce Butler was whistled for an interference penalty with just over six minutes remaining. The Cyclones did not convert, but managed to control the play and run some time off the clock. With 1:36 remaining, Illinois pulled Burda for the extra attacker setting up a very intense final minute of play. With Illinois buzzing and the Cyclones standing tall, an icing call was made with what appeared to be three seconds remaining. After a short center ice meeting, the officials informed the coaches that the whistle had froze up at the six second mark. After an Iowa State timeout to get key personnel on the ice, Brad Krueger (Des Moines, IA / North Iowa Outlaws – NAHL) won the ensuing face-off to the far corner where Iowa State pinned the puck for the final few seconds securing the 1-0 victory. Hudson ended the game with 24 saves on 24 shots for his fifth shutout of the season, while Burda took the defeat turning aside 24 of 25 shots.

The victory marked the first time the Cyclones have won at the “Big Pond” in several years and was the first one for this class of seniors in Champaign.

“This is a big win for our team to know we can come in and beat Illinois on their home ice and also for league standings,” commented senior captain Brent Cornelius.

The two teams will face off again Saturday night at 7:30 p.m. at the University of Illinois Ice Arena.

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GAME SUMMARY

GOALS BY PERIOD         1          2        3          FINAL
IOWA STATE:                   0          1         0          1
ILLINOIS:                          0         0          0         0

First Period – No Scoring.
Penalties: ISU: Kohles (13:42 – roughing), UI: Heredia (13:42 – roughing)

Second Period – Scoring: ISU; 4:16 Lebler (Pascale).
Penalties: ISU: Spring (1:05 – interference), ISU: Condon (11:42 – interference), UI: Gilbert (18:57 – hooking)
.
Third Period – No Scoring.
Penalties: UI: Butler (13:28 – interference)
SHOTS BY PERIOD  1         2           3         TOTAL
IOWA STATE:            7        8         10         25
ILLINOIS:                  4        13         7           24
 
GOALTENDERS (SV/SH) 1         2           3            TOTAL
IOWA STATE: Hudson      4/4  13/13  7/7        24/24
ILLINOIS: Burda                7/7  7/8     10/10     24/25

POWER PLAY: IOWA STATE: 0/2  ILLINOIS: 0/2
PENALTIES:  IOWA STATE: 3/6  ILLINOIS: 3/6

LinkedIn.com Main Page

Cyclone Hockey has developed a special LinkedIn group to keep all alumni connected and in the know. LinkedIn is one of the social media Web sites that Cyclone Hockey is utilizing to specificifically reach alumni. Here is a little more about it…

The Iowa State Cyclone Hockey Alumni Group exists to develop relationships and establish long-term connections between the Cyclone Hockey program and its alumni and friends, leading to increased support for the program’s mission and for the benefit of past, present and future players.

3 Easy Steps to Get LinkedIn!

1. Go to www.cyclonehockey.com and click the LinkedIn logo on the social media banner.

2. Not a user? Just click “Joining Linked In”

3. Fill in your information and join!

Physical forward makes mark in weekend sweep

Jan. 16, 2010 – Ames, Iowa – Forward Brian Rooney receives Cyclone Hockey Player of the Week accolades for his physical play in this weekend’s series against the University of Michigan-Dearborn.

 In both Friday and Saturday’s games Rooney had great presence on the ice for the Cyclones. His aggressive play gave Iowa State the edge they needed to pull out two exciting wins. On offense Rooney also contributed an assist in Saturday’s 6-3 victory.

 Rooney is a Palatine, Ill. native and is a sophomore majoring in marketing. Prior to playing at Iowa State, Rooney played for the Chicago Force of the CSHL. This is Rooney’s second season with the Cyclones.

 “Brian’s hard work and energy made him stand out on the ice this weekend. He is playing with a spark and reckless abandon that is jump starting our offense. He made his presence known against Michigan-Dearborn.” head coach Al Murdoch commented.

For all of Cyclone Hockey’s Player of the Weeks visit www.cyclonehockey.com

Iowa State sweep Michigan-Dearborn in exciting home series

 Jan. 16, 2009 – Ames, Iowa – Iowa State faced off against Michigan-Dearborn in the second game of this weekend’s series at the Ames/ISU Ice Arena. The Cyclones took part in a double header with the puck dropping at 8:10 p.m. In Friday’s match-up, Iowa State came back in the final minute to take the 5-4 win.

 Both teams shot out of the gates playing aggressive end to end hockey during the first period. Iowa State took advantage of the power play opportunity at 12:49 with a highlight reel slap shot by defenseman Brent Cornelius (Fairbanks, Alaska) assisted by Justin Wilkinson (Prince Albert, SK, CAN). The momentum shifted in the Wolves’ favor after a questionable game ejection of a Cyclone defenseman. Dearborn was able to respond on the resulting power play to knot the score at one late in the first. Iowa State’s goaltender, Erik Hudson (Spokane, Wash.), turned away 10 of 11 Dearborn shots on goal and the period concluded with an even score of 1-1.

 The Cyclones took control early in the second stanza with a goal just 1:24 in. An unassisted Brandon Clark (Spokane, Wash.) skated the puck into Dearborn territory and beat the Wolves’ netminder to regain the lead for the Cyclones. The Wolves answered mid-period with a goal of their own to even the score. Iowa State would take a two goal lead when Chris Mackay (Houston, Texas) and Derek Behrman (Consul, SK, CAN) scored just over a minute apart. Iowa State’s special teams were also successful in killing all three Dearborn power play opportunities. In net, Hudson stopped 10 of 11 Michigan-Dearborn shots on goal. The Cyclones carried a 4-2 lead into third.

 Both teams continued the back and forth rhythm into the third and final period. At 12:40 the Cyclones would advance their lead when David Kurbatsky (San Ramon, Calif.) deflected a Pat Condon (Rochester, Minn.) slap shot between the pipes. Jordan Pascale (Aurora, Colo.) provided the cross-ice feed for the second assist on the goal. In the final minute of play the Wolves’ pulled their goalie and offered an open net to the Cyclone offense. Mike Lebler (Penticton, BC, CAN) capitalized and scored the final goal of the match-up. Iowa State took the sweep with a final score of 6-3.

 With the win, Iowa State advances their regular season record to 20-8-3. Next weekend the Cyclones travel to Champaign, Ill. to face off against the Fighting Illini and will be back at home to take on Eastern Michigan University Jan. 29 and 30.

The Cyclone Hockey team first appeared at Iowa State in 1965.  In 1969 the current head coach, Dr. Alan Murdoch, became involved with the program.  The Cyclone Hockey team competes in the Central States Collegiate Hockey League. The CSCHL is a league in the American Collegiate Hockey Association. This season Cyclone Hockey is currently ranked No. 5 in the CSCHL rankings and No. 6 in the ACHA rankings. Last season, the Cyclones placed second in the CSCHL regular season rankings and in runner up tournament.

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GAME SUMMARY

 GOALS BY PERIOD                        1              2              3              FINAL

IOWA STATE:                                         1              3              2              6

MICHIGAN-DEARBORN:                   1              1              1              3

 First Period – Scoring: ISU: Cornelius (Wilkinson) 12:49 ppg; M-D: Zubke (Roberts, Macari) 19:18 ppg.

 Penalties: ISU: Rooney (unsportsmanlike conduct) 9:24; M-D: Roberts (unsportsmanlike conduct) 9:24; ISU: Bulloch (roughing) 12:32; M-D: Steele (roughing) 12:32; M-D: Steele (unsportsmanlike conduct) 12:34; ISU: Kurbatsky (tripping) 13:31; ISU: Toigo (checking from behind) 17:01.         

 Second Period – Scoring: M-D: Zubke (Macari, McDonnell) 11:14; ISU: Mackay (Irwin) 15:05; ISU: Behrman (Rooney, Wilkinson) 16:16.

Penalties: ISU: M-D: Zubke (tripping) 0:24; M-D: Frey (roughing) 4:06; ISU: Larsen (roughing) 4:06; M-D: Roberts (4:55); ISU: Clark (hooking) 12:58; M-D: Roberts (slashing) 18:56.

 Third Period – Scoring: ISU: Kurbatsky (Condon, Pascale) 12:40; M-D: Bekkala (unassisted) 14:59; ISU: Lebler (unassisted) 19:44.

Penalties: ISU: Larsen (roughing, unsportsmanlike conduct) 7:28; ISU: Clark (roughing) 7:28; M-D: Macari (roughing) 7:28; M-D: Vella (slashing) 7:28; M-D: Popp (slashing) 8:56.

 SHOTS BY PERIOD                         1              2              3              TOTAL

IOWA STATE:                                          11           16           8              35

MICHIGAN-DEARBORN                     11           11           9              31

 GOALTENDERS (SV/SH)                               1              2              3              TOTAL

IOWA STATE:                                     Hudson: 10/11     10/11     8/9          28/31

MICHIGAN-DEARBORN:               Petrous: 10/11      13/16     6/8          29/35

POWER PLAY: IOWA STATE:     1-5          MICHIGAN-DEARBORN: 1-4

PENALTIES: IOWA STATE:          21-9        MICHIGAN-DEARBORN: 20-10

Pete Majkozak completes hat trick with game winning goal

 Jan. 15, 2009 – Ames, Iowa – The Cyclones faced off against the Wolves of the University of Michigan-Dearborn Friday night at the Ames/ISU Ice Arena. This is Iowa State’s premier home series of 2010.

 The first period saw aggressive play between the Cyclones and Wolves. Michigan-Dearborn would jump to an early lead less than a minute in. Iowa State’s offense would show signs of life mid-period with a flurry of opportunities in Dearborn territory. Although they were unable to capitalize, the Cyclones out-shot the Wolves 16 to six. Paul Karus (Brookfield, Wis.) had a rocky start in goal for Iowa State stopping four of six Dearborn shots on goal. The opening period concluded with the Wolves leading 2-0.

 The Iowa State offense proved to be more productive in the second stanza. With added pressure around the Dearborn net, the Cyclones were able to take advantage of two scoring opportunities. The first came at 12:02 when David Kurbatsky (San Ramon, Calif.) found the back of the net on a give and go from Mike Lebler (Penticton, BC, CAN) and Chris Mackay (Houston, Texas).

 Just 66 seconds later the Cyclones would knot the score when the versatile defender, Nick Larsen (Rosemount, Minn.), connected with Pete Majkozak (White Bear Lake, Minn.) and Lebler. Michigan-Dearborn would quickly retaliate and take the lead once again. Erik Hudson (Spokane, Wash.) entered the game in place of Karus at the beginning of the period and would turn away nine of 10 shots on goal. The Cyclones were able to out shoot the Wolves 12 to 10 but were unable to find the back of the net in the final minutes of the period. The score would remain in Michigan-Dearborn’s favor 3-2.

 It continued to be a back and forth game into the third period. The Cyclones tenacity would show they were definitely not out of this game. With the momentum turned in their favor, the Cyclones offense stepped up and created scoring opportunities. Majkozak would be the Cyclones’ saving grace scoring three consecutive goals to complete his hat trick and win the game.

 The win advances the Cyclones’ regular season record to 19-8-3. Iowa State will take on Michigan-Dearborn in game two of the series Saturday at the Ames/ISU Ice Arena. The men and women Cyclones will be playing in a double header with the women’s game starting at 6:30 p.m. and the men taking the ice at 8:10 p.m. For all Cyclone Hockey action, visit http://www.cyclonehockey.com.

The Cyclone Hockey team first appeared at Iowa State in 1965.  In 1969 the current head coach, Dr. Alan Murdoch became involved with the program.  The Cyclone Hockey team competes in the Central States Collegiate Hockey League. The CSCHL is a league in the American Collegiate Hockey Association. The team is currently ranked No. 5 in the CSCHL and No. 6 in the ACHA standings.  Last season, the Cyclones placed second in the CSCHL tournament.

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GAME SUMMARY

 GOALS BY PERIOD                   1              2              3              FINAL

IOWA STATE:                                     0              2              3              5

MICHIGAN-DEARBORN:               2              1              1              4

 First Period – Scoring: M-D: Steele (unassisted) 0:49; M-D: Steele (unassisted) 18:51.

 Penalties: ISU: Toigo (tripping) 1:26; M-D: Wilson (hooking) 7:42; ISU: Behrman (interference) 14:48.

 Second Period – Scoring: ISU: Kurbatsky (Lebler, Mackay) 12:02 ppg; ISU: Larsen (Majkozak, Lebler) 13:18; M-D: Zubke (Macari, Rini) 14:02.

Penalties: ISU: Wilkinson (roughing) 0:33; ISU: Cornelius (hooking) 7:55; M-D: Wrathell (cross-checking) 10:48; ISU: Larsen (roughing) 17:20.

 Third Period – Scoring: ISU: Majkozak (Lebler) 9:36; M-D: Macari (Rini, Zubke) 13:40; ISU: Majkozak (Steele) 14:33; ISU: Majkozak (unassisted) 18:02.

Penalties: ISU: Kurbatsky (roughing) 10:10; M-D: Roberts (slashing) 14:56; ISU: Majkozak (tripping) 15:24;

SHOTS BY PERIOD                         1              2              3              TOTAL

IOWA STATE:                                         16           10           13          39

MICHIGAN-DEARBORN:                   6              12           9              27

GOALTENDERS (SV/SH)                          1              2              3              TOTAL

IOWA STATE:                                     Karus:    4/6                                          4/6

                                                                  Hudson:               11/12     8/9          17/19

MICHIGAN-DEARBORN:               Petrous: 16/16      8/10        10/13     34/39

 POWER PLAY: IOWA STATE:     1-3          MICHIGAN-DEARBORN: 0-7

PENALTIES: IOWA STATE:          7-14        MICHIGAN-DEARBORN: 3-6

Karus was in net during Friday’s 6-3 victory and contributed one and a half periods during Saturday’s game. During Friday’s match up, Karus saw 29 shots on goal with three GAA for a 89.66 save percentage. After coming off the bench in Saturday’s game, Karus faced 10 shots on goal and only allowed one Western Michigan goal for a 90 save percentage. For the 2009-2010 season Karus has a total 245 saves and has only allowed 31 goals.

Karus is a Brookfield, Wis. native and previously played for the CHA’s Mass Maple Leafs. This is Karus’ freshman year at Iowa State and is majoring in turf grass management.

“Paul is giving us a chance to win every night.” head coach Al Murdoch commented.

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