The Cyclone hockey team is suddenly brimming with new found confidence following three consecutive shutouts, including two against the University of Illinois last weekend.

However, Iowa State will see two crucial members temporarily leave starting this week, when coach Al Murdoch and senior goaltender Erik Hudson travel to Chicago for tune-ups for the World University Games in Turkey.

“Well, nobody could ever replace coach Murdoch, but it’s a situation I’ve been in before,” said associate coach Brian Wierson. “This is probably my third time I’ve been on his staff where he’s gone to the World University Games. I’ve been here before, and some of the players have been here before.”

Wierson leads practice every day and has been on the staff long enough where he said he feels comfortable taking up the head coaching role. He knows Murdoch isn’t leaving for good and also realizes he’s not trying to establish himself as the new coach.

“Coach Murdoch has confidence in myself and the rest of the coaching staff that we’ll keep these guys going,” Wierson said. “We’re not changing anything. Just keep expectations high and have fun.”

On the ice, Hudson has been the stalwart between the pipes in all of the shutouts so far in 2011. That means big shoes to fill when he departs for three weeks. Wierson is leaning toward starting sophomore goaltender Paul Karus this weekend. Karus said he isn’t fazed by the challenge.

“It’s nice to play. I’ll always say that a game is just another game,” Karus said. “The way the defense is playing, the way the offense is playing, I mean, we should have no problem. It will make my job easier, and I’m excited to play.”

Karus has played in four games so far this season, posting a 1-3 record in those contests. Next up for him and the Cyclones is University of Minnesota-Crookston — the first test for both Wierson and Karus to see how well they can shuffle in and keep the winning trend going.

“Coach [Murdoch] is obviously great to have around because he’s our backbone, he’s what keeps us going,” said senior Matt Cohn. “But now it’s gut-check time, and everybody has to step up knowing that he’s not here. I don’t think we’re going to miss a beat, and we’ll do just as well as we have been.”

Iowa State plays two against the University of Minnesota-Crookston beginning at 7:30 p.m. Friday at the Ames/ISU Ice Arena.