The Cyclone Hockey team swept Illinois this past weekend but lost forward Preston Blanek for the first game in the upcoming series with Central Oklahoma in the process.

After scoring in the No. 9 Cyclones’ (31-8-3, 14-6-1 CSCHL) 5-2 win on Friday, Feb. 7, against the No. 19 Illini (16-16-2, 4-13-1 CSCHL), Blanek did not make it past the first period in the second game on Saturday, Feb. 8, due to a penalty.

The freshman forward attempted to check UI forward Austin Bostock and received a disqualification due to an illegal hit to the head, which means an automatic ejection and a one-game suspension.

“Nate Percy ended up cycling the puck down low to me,” Blanek said. “I went behind the net the same time their defensemen went behind the net.  [Bostock] went for the puck; I went for the body. And being the bigger man, I tried to hit him with my shoulder but he caught my elbow.”

Penalties are nothing new to Blanek, as he leads the Cyclones in the amount of time spent in the box with 45 minutes.  Lately though, he has been on a roll, scoring seven of his 10 points this year in the past 15 games.

Even though he will only be gone for one game, Blanek will be missed on the ice by the Cyclones.

“[Blanek] is a physical presence,” said ISU forward Jon Feavel. “The only way I could put is he got us going. He has the skills to do it, and he has been a big part of what we have done so far.”

Alex Stephens, who is normally a defenseman, replaced Blanek at center after his ejection. Stephens or forward Seth Serhienko could be possible replacements for Blanek, but ISU coach Jason Fairman isn’t ready to make that decision just yet.

“That is something that I will have to determine in next week’s practice. I can’t answer that right now,” Fairman said when ask who be replacing Blanek.

Fairman did, however, have an answer to how he felt about the legitimacy of Blanek’s disqualification.

“[Blanek] is 6-foot-3, so obviously when he hits a smaller guy or tries to extend his arm out a bit, it looks like he gave an elbow to the head,” Fairman said. “So that’s why I sort of argued that there are hits like that all the time and that you are penalizing the guy for his size. And [Bostock] was a captain, he’s no dummy. He stayed down, he knew.”

Blanek isn’t the only Cyclone that will miss at least part of the series with Central Oklahoma. Forward Chase Rey, who is third in points for Iowa State with 35, has been recovering from a shoulder injury and isn’t expected to play either.

With or without him, Blanek isn’t worried about Iowa State’s chances next Friday.   

“I think the guys will be fine for Friday night,” Blanek said. “I bring a physical game, but the rest of the guys can do the same and score goals also. I will be wishing I could play in that game, but will be fine.”