Murdoch earns 1000th win, loses in second round at CSCHL tournament
Goalie Erik Hudson and a few of his teammates stop an attempted goal by a Lindenwood opponent during the match Friday, Dec. 3, at the Ames/ISU Ice Arena. The Cyclones fell to the Lions 4-2.
February 21, 2011
The ISU hockey team traveled to Bensenville, Ill. last weekend for the Central States Collegiate Hockey League tournament. The Cyclones won the first game against the Indiana Hoosiers 5-2, but were defeated in the second round by the Ohio Bobcats 2-1. The Bobcats went on to win the CSCHL Championship.
The win against Indiana was coach Al Murdoch’s 1,000th. Murdoch began coaching at Iowa State in 1969 and this accomplishment comes in his 42nd year.
“It was a pretty feel-good thing,” Murdoch said. “It’s more of an accomplishment of the team and Cyclone hockey in general. I just happened to be lucky enough to be along for the ride.”
With his 1,000th victory behind him now, Murdoch and the Cyclones are looking to the future.
“It’s now water under the bridge,” Murdoch said. “So let’s get on and let’s win some more.”
In the first game against Indiana, senior forwards Cort Bulloch and Mike Lebler each scored two goals. Freshman defenseman Matt Bennett notched two assists.
Special teams proved to be important against Indiana. The Cyclones went 2-6 on power play opportunities and sophomore forward Derek Kohles scored shorthanded.
“We got off on the right note beating Indiana,” Murdoch said. “Erik Hudson played outstanding in both games. He gave us the opportunity to win both games.”
Special teams were significant again in the second game versus Ohio. The Bobcats scored two goals against the Cyclones, both of which were on the power play. The only even-strength goal was scored by Marcus Malmsten for the Cyclones.
“I give our guys credit, as young as we are,” Murdoch said. “If we could’ve gotten a couple of bounces against Ohio University I think we would’ve gotten Lindenwood in the championship and that would’ve been good.”
Senior goaltender Erik Hudson played in his last CSCHL tournament this weekend.
“It’s a bit of a heartbreak,” Hudson said. “Four years of college hockey with coach Murdoch and not quite getting a national championship, it’s a really tough thing to handle.”
The Cyclones (23-17) have one more two-game set this weekend against the Northern Iowa Panthers, with senior night Friday, before the season concludes.
