For the first time since Dec. 10, 2010, the No. 13 ISU hockey team will renew their rivalry with Iowa. The Cyclones (15-14-1-2) will play one game against the Hawkeyes (13-16-0-1) in Ames on Friday, Jan. 25 and then another in Cedar Rapids on Sunday, Jan. 27.

ISU coach Al Murdoch said he wants to try to use all of his players in this weekend’s games. Brandon Clark, Alex Stephens, David Kurbatsky and Scott Ismond are all nursing injuries and might be rested this weekend.

Iowa is led in scoring by forward Matan Nadler, who has 37 points (15 goals, 22 assists) this season in 26 games played. On Jan. 20 and 21, he had nine points (one goal, eight assists) in two games against Eastern Illinois, which they split with a 9-4 win on Jan. 20 and a 7-6 loss on Jan. 21.

The Hawkeyes’ goaltenders have been weak so far this season. Their top goaltender, Mitchell Levinson, has a .881 save percentage and a 4.65 goals-against average with a 6-6 record.

Landon Weber, who played for the ISU DIII hockey team last season, is their second-leading goaltender with a .852 save percentage and a 5.05 goals-against average. He has a 2-6 record.

ISU forward J.P. Kascsak, the Cyclones’ second-leading scorer with 28 points (12 goals, 16 assists) in 31 games this season, is preparing to take advantage of the Hawkeyes’ weak goaltenders.

“We practice lots of rebound shots, shooting for rebounds so the guy going to the net can hit the rebound in,” Kascsak said. “Then, when you shoot for rebounds, it opens up holes in the net where you can slam the puck through.”

Murdoch said with the way the tickets for the first game of the weekend are selling, he thinks “the house is gonna be packed.” He said the cheer squad and the pep band will be at the game on Jan. 25 as well.

“I tell the pep band and the cheer squad — and I’m not kidding about it — they give us a one-goal advantage,” Murdoch said. “Other schools envy us for having a pep band and a cheer squad.”

The Cyclones take on the Hawkeyes at 7:30 p.m. Friday, Jan. 25 at the Ames/ISU Ice Arena and again at 1:15 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 27 at the Cedar Rapids Ice Arena.