Playing against rising stars without a team’s go-to player is extremely difficult. Playing without four of the team’s veteran leaders could be considered a handicap.

The ISU hockey team (6-3-1) played the North Iowa Bulls (4-2) on Friday without four of its six seniors and freshman forward Austin Parle.

Parle was arrested and charged with public consumption of alcohol Oct. 7. None of the seniors were cited for any legal troubles, however, and coach Al Murdoch said it was “a good opportunity to rest the veterans.”

The North Iowa Bulls decided to take full advantage of the lack of veteran leadership on the ice, jumping out to a quick 1-0 lead in the first period. They added another goal in the second and found the back of the net three times in the third, including an empty net goal with 13 seconds left in the match.

The Cyclones’ two goals didn’t cut it against the Bulls, as they lost the game 5-2. Senior goalie Paul Karus said the seniors sitting out hurt the leadership on the ice.

“Leadership is crucial,” Karus said.

Murdoch took the opportunity against the junior league team to give some of the players lower on the depth chart a chance to showcase their skills.

Along with evaluating his own players, Murdoch had an interesting opportunity playing against a junior league team.

Most players on Iowa State’s team played junior league hockey before joining the ISU hockey team. On Friday, Murdoch had the chance to check out the talent on the opposing North Iowa team and was able to meet with them for dinner and a tour of the ISU campus.

With Karus graduating, Murdoch said they have to be thinking about bringing someone in to fill his position and was impressed with North Iowa’s goalie, Matthew Bartels.

Senior forward David Elliston was unimpressed with the Cyclones’ play all around, noting the team seemed to be scrambling a lot on defense and was lacking offense.

“We were like chickens with our heads cut off,” Elliston said of the team’s disorganization and reckless play.

Elliston said whether the team had all of its leaders or not, it should be able to win — regardless of the opposing team.

While Murdoch was happy to see some good competition from a junior league team, he said it was a win-lose situation. He was able to see some top-notch talent and can consider pursuing them, but his team also suffered a loss because of the talent.

The Cyclones will be in action again at 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday at the Ames/ISU Ice Arena against the Robert Morris Eagles.