While most ISU students were home enjoying turkey on Thanksgiving, the Cyclone hockey team spent the day traveling and practicing. Iowa State (16-4-1-2) won two of three in the Michigan-Dearborn Holiday Classic last weekend.

Coach Al Murdoch said the week without classes really helped on the ice.

“I’ve seen the difference in the players this week that they were fresher and more alert this week than during classes prior to the break,” Murdoch said. “I think the break refreshed them academically and hockey-wise.”

Murdoch said his players have gotten over the hump of mental lapses — something that plagued his squad last year — resulting in a sub-par finish and no invite to the playoffs.

But gaining that full attention doesn’t always happen. First-year assistant coach Kyle McDonald, who runs the practices, yelled at players during Wednesday’s practice after what Brandon Clark called a “lapse in focus.”

“It was just trying to get our minds fully into it,” Clark said. “We all have busy days with school and we haven’t had a lot of time off, so our minds float a little bit.”

The Cyclones came back at 1 a.m. Monday after their weekend trip. Murdoch, a staunch supporter of academics before athletics, said he knows that philosophy is a challenge but wants to maintain the focus of his players on the ice.

“I want players coming in here [for practice] and leaving the excess baggage at the door,” Murdoch said. “Once they enter the locker room, it’s hockey time.”

Iowa State will have a three-week break after two December home series, the first being against rival Lindenwood. The Lions (12-0-5) are currently ranked No. 3, but senior Brian Rooney said the Cyclones match up well.

“Our team dynamics are very similar to theirs,” Rooney said. “We typically get players from the same league as them. They have a lot of Canadians, we have a lot of Canadians. I think it’s one of the most even matchups we’ll have all year.”

Lindenwood is coming off being swept at home at the hands the Oklahoma — a team the Cyclones split with earlier in the season. Murdoch said he likes his chances against the Lions, thanks in part to the three-man rotation between the pipes.

“I think our goaltending is the strongest it’s been all season, and it’ll need to be against Lindenwood,” Murdoch said.

The Cyclones play two games at the Ames/ISU Ice Arena this weekend. The first starts at 7:30 p.m. Friday.