A year ago, they lost in the second round to No. 9 Oklahoma after a first-round bye. This year the Cyclones will try to move further into the tournament.

The No. 12 ISU hockey team leaves for Bensenville, Ill. on March 1 for the ACHA Division I National Championships. The Cyclones (24-16-3) have a first-round bye again this year and will play No. 5 Robert Morris (Ill.) in the second round March 2.

The Cyclones beat the Eagles (28-7-1) 2-0 at the CSCHL tournament on Feb. 15. The Eagles swept No. 1 Adrian (Mich.) last weekend, winning both games 4-2.

ISU forwards Ryan Reid and Nate Percy have been alternating on the line with Chris Cucullu and Jon Feavel in practice this week. Reid played on that line at the CSCHL tournament and Percy played on it last weekend against the ISU Division III hockey team.

ISU coach Al Murdoch said that most likely only one of them would be in the lineup for each game.

“They both bring different positives to that line,” Murdoch said. “Reid, probably a little more physical. Percy has good puck-handling ability and can get the puck to Cucullu and Feavel so they can get the goals.”

On Feb. 22 and 23, Percy had five points (one goal, four assists) in two games against the ISU Division III hockey team.

ISU captain Brandon Clark is still nursing a groin injury, which has decreased his playing time recently. 

Murdoch said their approach lately has been to play him one game out of two because trying two out of three is too much right now.

Clark said he talked to Murdoch and he wants to play in every game at the tournament.

“It’s my last year and last chance to win a championship and I want to help the team as much as I can,” Clark said.

Murdoch said he is leaning toward leaving Clark out of the March 2 game and saving him for a game on March 3 if they beat Robert Morris.

The Cyclones play the last game of the day on March 2 against the host team Robert Morris at 8:30 p.m. at the Edge Ice Arena in Bensenville, Ill.