It’s been almost two months since they’ve done so, but the Cyclones are finally heading into a weekend with the momentum from a sweep the previous weekend behind them.

The No. 13 ISU hockey team (11-10-1) hosts No. 16 Central Oklahoma this Friday and Saturday night after sweeping West Virginia in Ames last weekend. The Cyclones defeated the Mountaineers in a blowout fashion on Friday night 7-2 and won a close one 2-1 on Saturday.

Central Oklahoma (10-8-0) is also going into the weekend with the momentum from a sweep last weekend as well. Last weekend, the Bronchos beat No. 17 Arizona at home by a score of 3-1 in both games of the sweep. The Bronchos also beat Lindenwood once more at home this season and are 3-1 against the Lions this season.

ISU coach Al Murdoch called Central Oklahoma a “lunch-bucket team” because of its work ethic in games. On Sept. 28 and 29, the Bronchos swept No. 9 Lindenwood on the road by a score of 4-3 in both games.

Murdoch’s theme for practice this week was simple: “Take the puck to the net and don’t leave the net until it’s in the net.”

The Cyclones have been doing a lot of drills this week that require them to go to the net for the rebound after taking their initial shot and working until the play is dead.

“I don’t have last year to go off of; I played with the D-III team, but I think that might be a little bit to my advantage,” said goalie Scott Ismond. “Anytime you play against teams like this you really get up and really excited.”

The Cyclones take on the Bronchos this Friday at 7:30 p.m. and at 8 p.m. on Saturday. Both games will be played at the Ames/ISU Ice Arena.