Getting knocked out of the Central States Collegiate Hockey League tournament stung for the Cyclone Hockey team, but having it come by the hands of Ohio stings even worse.

“It is definitely a tough pill to swallow,” said ISU forward Mark Huber. “This one stings for sure. Every game we played with [Ohio] this year has been close. I want to say they all have been one-goal games.”  

After beating Indiana 4-1 in the first round of the tournament, No. 10 Iowa State (33-9-4, 14-5-1 CSCHL) was set for a semifinals matchup with No. 7 Ohio (30-7-2, 14-4-1 CSCHL). The Bobcats have had the Cyclones number in the playoffs recently, ending their postseason runs twice last season — once in the national tournament and the other at the CSCHL tournament. And this time was no different.

A goal that bounced off the mask of ISU goalie Matt Cooper into the net downed the Cyclones in overtime against the Bobcats on Feb. 22, but renewed the rivalry between the two teams.

“When it comes to hockey, I have no doubt that Ohio is our biggest rival,” Huber said. “We always play tough against Ohio and they play tough against us, no matter if it is home, away, playoffs, what have you.”

Overall, ISU coach Jason Fairman thought Iowa State played well against Ohio. He reminded his players, though, after the loss that every mistake on the ice could cost them the game.

This season, Iowa State is 3-2 when playing Ohio. The Cyclones biggest loss to the Bobcats came back on Jan. 17 when they fell 5-2.

The Cyclones will get another crack at the Bobcats in the American Collegiate Hockey Association Tournament, as they will face them in the first round. Going into nationals, Cooper expects the team to have a chip on its shoulder.

“It is going to be a blood bath for sure,” Cooper said. “Our team is going to go in there hot and heavy and I know they are going to come out firing. But, like I said, I think our team is better conditioned and gave better effort throughout the whole game.”  

Fairman doesn’t plan to change anything when preparing for the rematch with Ohio in the ACHA tournament.

“This is playoff hockey,” Fairman said. “It comes down to a little bit of luck and hard work.”

Skating off the ice after the defeat to Ohio, Huber said he was disappointed. However, he said this disappointment will only be fuel for the Cyclones to win in a couple weeks.

“I think guys have a bitter taste in their mouths about losing,” Huber said. “Nationals are what we have been working for all year, and to have that bitter taste going in against Ohio, I think guys are going to be running on all cylinders to get the win and kept playing.”