The ISU hockey team will start ACHA Division I play in a two-game set against the Oklahoma Sooners on Friday and Saturday night.

The Cyclones (4-0) dropped three out of four games against the Sooners (3-0) last season, including two games at home, both by a score of 4-3.

The preseason rankings for this season have Oklahoma ranked No. 8 and the Cyclones ranked No. 12. Although the Cyclones didn’t crack the top 10,

Coach Al Murdoch still considers them to be in the same category as the top 10. Murdoch said the Cyclones need to do everything a little quicker and sharper when playing a Division I opponent as opposed to a Division II opponent. He also wants their transition game to improve this weekend.

“The keys are to be sharper on the breakouts and finishing our attack,” Murdoch said. “Obviously it’s one thing to take the puck toward the opposing net, but it’s another thing to finish.”

The Cyclones have started off strong so far this year after winning two games last weekend in blowout fashion against the St. Cloud State Huskies. However, Murdoch stressed how important it is for the Cyclones to play more disciplined.

“Friday night we took too many penalties,” Murdoch said. “We’ve already made that adjustment.”

The Cyclones took 10 penalties last Friday night, but were able to cut that down to four last Saturday.

Junior defenseman and assistant captain Justin Wilkinson said they have a stronger team as they move into league play this year than they did last year.

“We didn’t have as good of a locker room last year,” Wilkinson said. “Since our disappointing season last year, we have something to prove.”

The Cyclones face off against the Sooners this Friday and Saturday night at the Ames/ISU Ice Arena. Both games start at 7:30 p.m.