After a much-needed respite during the Christmas break, the Cyclone hockey team returned to action Friday for a weekend series against the Eagles of Robert Morris University. The Cyclones (14-14-0) eked out a 3-2 victory Friday night and completed the sweep Saturday night, blanking the Eagles (19-6-0) 3-0 in Illinois.

Friday, the Cyclones took a 1-0 lead into the first intermission, when Marcus Malmsten received a one-timer pass from Chris Cucullu and fired home. The Swede also picked up two assists in Saturday’s contest.  

Cort Bulloch scored just six seconds into the second period, giving Iowa State a two-goal advantage. But Robert Morris would answer on the power play and had several power-play opportunities in the period. Momentum was on their side.

The Eagles rode the momentum into the third, when the Eagles netted the equalizer five-and-a-half minutes into the period.  However, Brian Rooney found himself wide open in front of the net and scored a power-play goal and the eventual game-winner. Goaltender Erik Hudson held his own despite being attacked with 39 shots on goal.  

Iowa State looked for the series sweep in the Saturday nightcap. After a scoreless first period, the Cyclones drew first blood yet again. During a five-minute power play, a Justin Wilkinson shot found its way past the Eagle goaltender despite a bad angle. Still on the man advantage, Brandon Clark reared back and fired a slap shot through the legs of the Eagle goaltender. Cucullu wrapped up the decisive second period with a goal of his own, finalizing the 3-0 victory.  

Hudson stopped all 22 shots for his second shutout of the season. The starting goaltender for the United States in the World University Games, Hudson played three exhibition games with the team over the three-week break before returning to the Cyclones for this series. Hudson and coach Al Murdoch will head to Turkey for the games in late January.

As for the Cyclones, they will take their .500 record into a divisional showdown with the University of Illinois next weekend.