This weekend the Cyclones will be hitting the road to battle Kent State in a two-game series.

The Cyclones (5-9) struggled last weekend against Ohio University and lost both games to the Bobcats.

“We have lost a couple of close games already this year, but we do still have a young team,” said coach Al Murdoch. “Kent State is not a weak team.”

Kent State lost both games last weekend to No. 1 Lindenwood, but the competition for the Cyclones will be challenging. The Golden Flashes swept Iowa State last season.

“They are a well coached team. They play hard, and they play physical,” Murdoch said.

In order to come back from the loss this weekend and prepare for Kent State, the Cyclones have been focusing on fundamentals. Iowa State was outscored 9-2 last weekend and went through a tough week of practice focus on the primary aspects of hockey.

“Our skating needs to be better, passing needs to be quick and concise, and we need to get shots that scare the opposing goalie,” Murdoch said.

The Cyclones also need to work on their endurance during the game.  

“We need to work on the full game,” said defenseman Justin Wilkinson. “Last weekend we were good for 40 minutes, then took time off for 20 minutes, so they got us. We need to focus on the whole game.”

This is the Cyclones’ second series on the road, with the first road series, against the University of Illinois, ending in a split. Iowa State’s sub-.500 record means statistically the club is struggling, but with top-flight competition and a young roster, the team is working to fight its way back.

“Road trips have been going well. Of course I want to win them all so I coach to win, so they can play to win,” Murdoch said.

When the Cyclones return from the Kent State series, their next home games will be Nov. 12 and 13 against Indiana University.