The Cyclone hockey team will be taking on the Indiana Hoosiers in a two-game home series.  

“Indiana is a fast skating, physical, and well-coached team,” said coach Al Murdoch. “Indiana is doing well this season.”

Both the Cyclones and the Hoosiers have split series against the University of Illinois. The competition from the two teams will be comparable this weekend.

The Cyclones are coming off of a sweep against Kent State on the road, and a split series the weekend before to gain some ground in the win column. The team is still under .500, but is improving on the ice and in confidence.

“There is a better morale on the team, and we are in a great mood this week,” said senior goalie Erik Hudson.

The Cyclones have been gradually improving over the first third of the season.  

“We are ready to take it to the next level,” Murdoch said. “Our skating is much better, and passing is more concise.”  

Although the team is still young, the players are coming together to scrape up wins.

“A lot of the young guys are really stepping up. They aren’t strangers anymore, they are a part of the team,” Hudson said.  

With these improvements, the Cyclones still need to continue to keep their skills sharp and attitude positive this weekend against Indiana.

“We need to focus on a lot of the same stuff that we have been doing. We have to keep the power play rolling, and have a solid defense line as well as offense,” Hudson said.  

The Cyclones will be playing Indiana at 7:30 p.m. Friday, and 8 p.m. Saturday at the Ames/ISU Ice Arena.