The ISU hockey team showed its strength in the final two-game set of the season this weekend against the Northern Iowa Panthers. The Cyclones swept the series, winning 9-0 Friday and 10-0 Saturday.

In the first game, all five seniors tallied points, including goalie Erik Hudson, who also tallied an assist and stopped all 17 UNI shots for his fifth shutout.

“The guys played well, and I think it reflects that our guys are in really good shape,” said coach Al Murdoch. “Sometimes our guys make it look easier than it actually is.

Senior Matt Cohn scored a hat trick in the first game. All three of his goals were assisted by seniors Cort Bulloch and Jordan Pascale.

“Coach put us together about halfway through the year,” Cohn said. “Ever since, we’ve had a lot of chemistry, and I definitely couldn’t have done it without those guys.”

Along with his three assists, Bulloch also tallied a goal late in the game. Bulloch was playing with a partially-separated shoulder that he injured at the Central States Collegiate Hockey League Tournament.

“I thought he played pretty solid,” Murdoch said. “Most guys wouldn’t have suited up, but hockey players are different.”

In the second game of the series Saturday night, Erik Hudson watched the final game from the stands. Sophomore Paul Karus started the game for the Cyclones, and freshman Scott Ismond took over at the halfway point in the game.

“We had that planned in advance,” Murdoch said. “If he [Hudson] got a shutout on Friday, that would be a good way to end his career at Iowa State.”

Murdoch was pleased with the way Karus and Ismond played.

“We had both goaltenders get a shutout tonight,” Murdoch said.

Freshman defenseman Kyle Ralston scored his first goal as a Cyclone late in the third period.

“They were pretty focused, and they got the whole bench motivated to get the puck to him, and he finally got the goal,” Murdoch said.

Ralston said the team didn’t realize he hadn’t scored all season until the third period, and the team was generous to let him stay out there for a while until he scored.

“You always look for that first one,” Ralston said. “Mine just happened to be in the last game of the season.”

With the Cyclones missing the national tournament, this season is now behind them, and they are looking forward to next season.