For four Cyclone Hockey players, this weekend was the last time they would don a cardinal and gold jersey.

In the final home series this season, the No. 10 Cyclone Hockey team (34-9-4, 14-5-1 CSCHL) honored four seniors from the Division III team by having them suit up to face the Edina Laker; therefore, Mike Lopez, Mark Koske, Kean Ludvicek and Jordan Kanter laced up their skates one last time for Iowa State.

“It feels a little bitter sweet, I guess,” Lopez said. “I think it is about time we hang them — well at least me personally. But it is unfortunate to end your career. What are you going to do? Life goes on.”

The aforementioned seniors played in Iowa State’s 6-1 win against Edina on Feb. 28. Only Lopez went on to compete with the Lakers in the Cyclones’ 4-1 victory the following night.

Despite not being able to put the puck in the back of the net while on the ice in the series with Edina, ISU coach Jason Fairman was still impressed by the performance of his Division III players.   

“They did great,” Fairman said. “They played really well. It was good to see them get this opportunity. I was hoping they would of put one in, but they were close a couple of times.”

The Division III Cyclone Hockey team finished their regular season 13-5-2, but failed to make it past regionals in the postseason. However, to Ludvicek, winning isn’t everything.

“I’m definitely going to miss coming in and getting away from school,” Ludvicek said. “It was nice getting away and not having to think about school on the weekends. Plus it helped me stay occupied. I don’t know what I am going to do with myself now.”

During his time playing for Cyclone hockey, Ludvicek learned more than just how to pass, shoot and handle the puck.

“I have seen a lot of different leadership roles,” Ludvicek said. “And becoming a captain on the DIII team this year, it really helped me understand what it takes to be a good leader. When I was a freshman, sophomore and junior seeing all the leaders just helped me become a more well-rounded person.”

Even though his Cyclone Hockey career is done, Lopez still plans to keep hockey as part of his life. He said that down the road he would like to coach hockey himself.

“A hockey player is always going to be a hockey player whether he is on a team or not,” Lopez said. “It is just men’s league from here on out.”