Even the toughest of hockey players need a little time off now and then.

In this weekend’s two-game series against Dakota Bottineau, the No. 6 Cyclone Hockey team (23-5-2, 8-2-0 CSCHL) won 5-1 on Friday and won 7-1 on Saturday.

When the final seconds ticked off the clock in Saturday’s game against the Lumberjacks, the Cyclones staked off the ice for a much needed break.

“It was nice rack up a couple of wins,” said goalie Mike Ness, who made his first start of the season on Saturday. “It was important to win these two games for our rankings and to go into break with some momentum.”

Just like many other college kids around the nation, ISU players are getting ready for finals and to take some time off in the upcoming break from school. The Cyclones will be off the ice until Dec. 29 when they have to return to Ames for practice for their series against Robert Morris.

This hiatus gives several Cyclones a chance to heal some nagging injuries, which have plagued them over the course of the season.

“Everyone is a little bump and bruised,” said forward Trevor Lloyd. “I think the break will be helpful by getting a lot of guys rested up.”

Some players that will be spending time resting injuries are forward Mike Leskun and defenseman Alex Stephens.

Leskun has been scratched from the Cyclones’ lineup the past few weeks due to an injured shoulder. Stephens was victim of a slashing penalty, which had him limping of the ice in this weekend’s series.

However, it won’t be all sleeping in and spending time with family and friends for the Cyclones during Winter Break. ISU coach Jason Fairman said he wants his players to stay in hockey condition while they are at home.

“We need to make sure we are taking care of business at home so we don’t get too far behind as far as conditioning,” Fairman said. “So I told them to make sure that they get a sweat in every day. You have to make a commitment to get a sweat in every day so you don’t get behind.”

Lloyd shares Fairman’s concerns and hopes his teammates will follow the coach’s advice.

“I’m hoping everyone gets on the ice at least a couple of times over break,” Lloyd said. “I will probably skate with my old high school team and with my brother just to drop and shoot some pucks whenever I can.”

With the time off, the Cyclones hope they will be at full strength when they play Robert Morris University on Jan. 3 and Jan. 4.

“This is probably a well-timed break,” Fairman said. “It gives guys time to get healthy. It has been a rough past few weeks here with the schedule we have had.”