Matt Cohn, Brian Rooney and Cort Bulloch all achieved hat tricks over the weekend as the Iowa State Cyclones easily handled the University of Minnesota-Crookston Golden Eagles.  

On Friday, Cohn notched his achievement as the Cyclones (18-14-0) cruised 12-2. In Saturday’s contest, Rooney and Bulloch got their own hat tricks late in the third period as Iowa State again blew out the Golden Eagles (4-7-0) 14-2.  

This was the first series for Iowa State without coach Al Murdoch and starting goaltender Erik Hudson, who are in Chicago training for the World University Games.

“Things aren’t going to change here too much,” said associate head coach Brian Wierson. “I think the guys responded well to coaching just the way we wanted them to.”

Iowa State jumped out to a 7-0 lead in the first period Friday. On Saturday, however, the Cyclones held a 5-1 lead going into the third. But six straight goals in an 11-minute span propelled Iowa State past the D-II opponent, who was clearly outmatched the entire series, similar to the Cyclones’ victory over Iowa in December.

“Minnesota-Crookston came out hard, but we really can’t afford to ease up at all with our schedule,” said Cohn. “We just got to keep working hard.”

Sophomore Paul Karus received the starting nod in both games in place of Hudson in front of the net. Midway through the second period Saturday, Wierson pulled Karus to give freshman Scott Ismond some playing time.  The two gave up a combined four goals in two games, but didn’t face many shots at all, since Iowa State held the puck for the majority of the series.

“I think we kind of knew what kind of games it was going to be,” said freshman Marcus Malmsten. “We knew if we just played hard and play the way we can, we were going to win big.”

The Cyclones are now four games over .500, and haven’t lost since a road defeat at perennial powerhouse Lindenwood University. Next up is a home series next weekend against the Rams of Colorado State University.