While many students were enjoying the Thanksgiving break, the Cyclone hockey team was in Canada playing a string of games against the University of British Columbia, Simon Fraser University and Trinity Western University.

On Friday, the Cyclones began their stretch of three games in three days. The squad put in three first-period goals against its first opponent, the UBC Thunderbirds. 

However, during the second period, the Cyclones began to rack up penalties, which gave the Thunderbirds too many power play opportunities. The Thunderbirds were able to score three goals in the second period, and with a single tally in the opening frame, took a hold of the lead 4-3.

The Cyclones stayed strong in the last period, tying the game with a shot from David Kurbatsky, but the Thunderbirds were able to score one last time, and the Cyclones lost 5-4.

Against Simon Fraser, the Cyclones were able to scrape up a 5-2 win. The Cyclones opened up a two-goal lead in the opening period, and the momentum kept going throughout the rest of the game.

The last game of the Cyclones’ brief tour to Canada ended with a loss to Trinity Western University, 7-4.  

Lessons learned on the trip north will have to come in a hurry. This weekend, the Cyclones (11-12) will host No. 1 Lindenwood (15-1) in a two game home series at the Ames/ISU Ice Arena.