The Cyclone hockey team is eager to begin the holiday break. The players haven’t been home since August and haven’t stopped playing games on a weekly basis since September.

For most, the semester break involves a visit home. Though for some, including defenseman Antti Helanto, home isn’t that easy to get to.

Helanto is a native of Finland.

“It’s my only time to go back home for a little while and then get back at it next semester,” Helanto said. “The only negative is the time difference. It takes surprisingly long to recover [from the jet lag].”

Helanto said after finals are finished, he’ll fly out of Minneapolis and connect in Amsterdam before arriving in Helsinki. He said he stays connected with family and friends, but the eight-hour difference makes it difficult.

“I haven’t talked that much with them,” Helanto said. “It will be good to see my friends and my brother.”

Coach Al Murdoch understands the importance of staying connected with family members. He has kept practice light this week, anticipating that many players are kept busy studying for finals.

“Not a whole lot of new material this week,” Murdoch said. “It’s a case where we want to keep them loose and want to keep them skating.”

Forward Jon Feavel won’t be making the trek home to Alaska this year, but will end up getting an opportunity to see his family. His brother is getting married in the state of Washington and Feavel is the best man.

“It’s better because I’m not going to Alaska and I get to see my family,” Feavel said. “Every time I go home for Christmas, it’s 40-below and it’s dark and miserable. I’m really looking forward to this break.”

Iowa State (16-5-1-3) still has one more series before the break.

The Minnesota junior-A Maple Grove Energy will be coming to town this weekend. A team comprised of players younger than 20, Murdoch said it will be a good weekend to recruit. 

“We’ve played against a lot of teams [in the past] that have had our players on them,” Murdoch said. “It seems different, but it’s pretty valuable.”

Murdoch said several players have already applied to come to Iowa State.

Feavel, who is tied for the team lead in goals with 13, said a series against a non-ACHA team is a chance to try out some things.

“We’re looking to have fun and expand creatively,” Feavel said. “It’s a chance for maybe little more dangerous play and at the same time develop your repertoire of skills for future games.”

The two-game series versus the Energy starts at 7:30 p.m. Friday at the Ames/ISU Ice Arena.