ISU coach Al Murdoch calls the current stretch in the Cyclone hockey schedule “the grind.”

After facing the No. 3 team in the American Collegiate Hockey Association last week, the schedule doesn’t get any easier as the Cyclones (14-3-1) will now take on the No. 2 team in Minot State (10-2-1). The Cyclones will enter the series ranked No. 8 in this week’s poll.

The Beavers entered this season as the defending national champions in the ACHA. The Cyclones are no strangers to playing defending champs according to Murdoch.

“This is the third team we have had in this year that won a national championship last season,” Murdoch said. “They are the best in the ACHA, that makes them a very distinguished group.”

Throughout the season the Beavers had been trading Arizona State for the top spot in the ACHA. But now, Minot State is coming to Ames looking to end a three-game losing streak with losses to Williston State, Arizona State, and the University of Arizona.

Iowa State junior forward Nate Percy is excited about the opportunity to play another top team.

“We know they are a really good team,” Percy said. “We look forward to another good challenge.”

The Beavers are led in scoring by freshman forward Jeremy Johnson. Johnson will enter the series with 23 points, 15 goals and eight assists. Michael Jordan also has 20 points for the Beavers, on seven goals and 13 assists.

Wyatt Waselenchuk is the goaltender for Minot State. He enters the series with a 6-2 record and is allowing only 1.63 goals per game. Waselenchuk was selected to the USA team for the World University Games, alongside Iowa State goaltender Matt Cooper.

“This series will be a matchup of the two best goaltenders in the nation,” Murdoch said. “It will really be a matchup of goalies.”

Murdoch says the size of Minot will also play a role in the games this weekend.

“They will be the biggest team we have played this season,” Murdoch said. “Not only that but they will be one of the fastest teams we have played.”

Iowa State sophomore defenseman Alex Stephens thinks the Cyclones will be able to prove themselves against the Beavers.

“They will be a tough team, but we are a tough team too,” Stephens said. “I think we can play with them.”

Despite the hype behind the Beavers and their No. 2 ranking, Murdoch is excited for the series.

“It will be a great brand of hockey,” Murdoch said. “It will be some of the best hockey you can see in Ames, Iowa.”