A three-goal second period powered the Cyclone Hockey team past Illinois on Friday at the Ames/ISU Ice Arena.

In their final conference series of the regular season, the No. 9 Cyclones (30-8-3, 13-6-0 CSCHL) managed to take the first game against No. 19 Illini (16-15-2, 4-12-1 CSCHL) with a 5-2 win.

A shot by forward John Olen in the first period gave the Illini the first lead of the night.  Goalie Matt Cooper reached out his stick to deflect the shot, only to see the puck bounce off his stick into the net.

The Illini added to their lead in the first few minutes of the second period with a goal by forward Matt Flosi.

The Cyclones closed the gap to one with a goal by Iforward Preston Blanek at the 07:12 mark of the second.  In only a minute and 30 seconds later, a goal by forward Jake Bruhn tied the game. Forward Chris Cucullu put the puck in the back of the net off a rebound to put Iowa State on top later in the period.

Goals by forwards J.P. Kascsak and Jon Feavel gave Iowa State a bit of breathing room midway through the third period.

Cooper blocked 38 of 40 shots on goal and UI goalie Nick Clarke blocked 35 of 40.

Iowa State will face Illinois again tomorrow at 8 p.m. at the Ames/ISU Ice Arena.