Cyclones sweep ISU Division III hockey team in final home series
David Elliston, of the D1 ISU hockey team, moves the puck up the ice against the D3 ISU hockey team Saturday, Feb. 23, at the Ames/ISU Ice Arena. The D1 Cyclones defeated the D3 Cyclones 7-1. The two teams faced each other in a two-game series this weekend, as the D1 Cyclones’ original opponent, North Dakota State, was unable to travel to Ames due to weather earlier in the week.
February 24, 2013
Six seniors said goodbye to the Ames/ISU Ice Arena last weekend and now look ahead to the ACHA National Tournament next weekend.
The No. 12 ISU hockey team was originally supposed to play its last two home games, including senior night on Feb. 23, against North Dakota State. Due to the weather Feb. 21, the Bison were unable to make the trip to Ames and the Cyclones played a two-game series against the ISU Division III hockey team at the Ames/ISU Ice Arena.
The Division I team beat the Division III team 5-1 and 6-1. Of the six seniors that played on Saturday night, David Kurbatsky, Derek Kohles and David Elliston had assists in the game.
All six ISU seniors started the first and third periods for the Cyclones. Karus played two periods before being replaced after the second by Matt Cooper, which ISU coach Al Murdoch said was the plan all along.
“On Thursday I talked to all the goaltenders; I said under ideal conditions I want to play everybody two periods,” Murdoch said.
Karus gave up one goal in the two periods he played Feb. 23, as did ISU goalie Scott Ismond on Feb. 22. Cooper played one period each game and did not allow any goals.
Elliston, who assisted on a goal by Ryan Reid, said it’s always nice to get points, but there was no extra meaning in the assist just because it was senior night.
“I’m looking forward to … getting some points hopefully at nationals,” Ellison said. “Nothing too special about it.”
Last week, Murdoch said he thought Elliston is the hardest worker of the six seniors on this year’s team.
“That’s basically my role,” Elliston said. “I wasn’t even on the team my freshman year — I was on the JV [Division III] team — so, if I wouldn’t have moved up I would’ve been playing out there against the D-I.
“So you’ve just got to work hard and that’s basically my role is just work hard and make everyone else better.”
Elliston has 18 points in his career with the ISU Division I hockey team and he had nine points in his season with the Division III team for a total of 27 points in four years.
