Cyclone Hockey will play the Oklahoma Sooners in its conference opener and the Cyclones will be looking for redemption against the team that stumped their national championship chances a season ago.

Last season, the Sooners gave Cyclone Hockey its last loss of the year, knocking the team out of the 2014 American Collegiate Hockey Association Men’s Division 1 National Tournament in the quarterfinals. The loss has left a chip on the team’s shoulder.

“We would like to exact some revenge on these guys, no doubt,” said head coach Jason Fairman. “Whether they want revenge or not, I hope our team recognizes the significance of this game. This is a huge test early on.”

When the two teams played each other last year in the quarterfinals, the score was 1-0 heading into the third period, favoring the Cyclones. With three goals in the last period, the Sooners won the game 3-1.

Being ranked second heading into the tournament, the Sooners were granted a first round bye, while the tenth-ranked Cyclones had to play in the opening rounds.

“I think guys felt like we let the national tournament slip out of our hands,” Fairman said. “Having played a game already, I feel that we were a half-a-step slow and I think that factored in.”

Alternate captains Trevor Lloyd and Antti Helanto are still feeling the loss from Oklahoma.

“We will come in with a little chip on our shoulder, especially the guys who were around last year for nationals,” Lloyd said. “I am really excited to play. I think it is good we have a test like this early in the season.”

Helanto, a senior defenseman, still remembers the loss in the quarterfinals last year and plans to pay it back to them this year.

“They are one of the teams to beat, and we want to get a good start to the season,” Helanto said. “All the returning guys remember what happened last time and we want to have our payback.”

Last year during the quarterfinals, goalie Matt Cooper made 40 saves on 43 shots. This year, the Cyclones look to not give up so many shots and capitalize on power plays.

This time, with no opening round game to hinder them, the Cyclones will be at their best and the team looks to put Oklahoma away early.

Cyclone Hockey will face off against the Oklahoma Sooners at 7:30 p.m. Sept. 19 and 20 at the Ames/ISU Ice Arena.