Iowa State stayed close with the Ohio University Bobcats for two periods. Then the third period began.

Ohio erupted for three goals in the third period en route to a 4-1 win over the Cyclones Friday night.

“We competed hard through two periods,” said associate coach Brian Wierson. “We lost a bit of that in the third. When they scored, my word to the guys is respond. Nobody responded.”

Long-time coach Al Murdoch declined to comment after the game.

Iowa State had its chances. But miscues on defense and an offensive attack that struggled to gain the zone did the Cyclones in. While shots were about even, penalties hurt Iowa State.

“We took too many penalties,” said defenseman Kyle Van. “They’re a good team. When we made mistakes, they capitalized.”

Ohio and Iowa State pressured each other in the first with back and forth action. Neither team could find an answer on offense until Ohio went on the power play late in the first. After the Cyclones failed to clear in its zone, ISU goaltender Erik Hudson blocked a shot from the point. However, a rebound in front was gathered and shot past Hudson for the power-play goal.

“All four of their goals were scored off of rebounds,” Van said. “We weren’t looking behind us after the initial shot.”

The physical play exploded in the second with six penalties combined. The Cyclones had two chances on the power play but couldn’t sustain any offensive attack. Iowa State had trouble gaining the offensive zone, resulting in few shots on goal.

“”I felt we were holding on to our sticks too tight, so passes were bouncing off our sticks,” said defenseman Shawn Crawford.

Despite the offensive concerns, the Cyclones notched the equalizer midway into the second period. Off of a faceoff win, an initial shot didn’t go in, but senior Mike Lebler wristed a shot that got past the Bobcat goaltender.

After an unsuccessful ISU power play, the offensive attack for both teams heated up, but resulting in no points.

“We couldn’t bury anything on the power play,” said Lebler. “It’s been a struggle all year. We just weren’t doing the right things, weren’t playing smart hockey.”

The teams remained tied going into the final frame. But just a minute in, a controversial goal gave the Bobcats the lead for good. A mad scramble in front of Hudson produced the goal. Just as the puck crossed the line, the net became dislodged. The goal light did not light up, but the referee called it good.

“They worked the front of the net,” Crawford said. “I thought the net was off, but you can’t rely on that.”

Lebler viewed the go-ahead goal from the bench.

“One player was on top of Hudson and others were all around him,” Lebler said. “It was a close call. We got to pick up the loose puck to prevent that chaos.”

Ohio ripped off two more goals, playing with noticeably more enthusiasm and effort than the Cyclones. Iowa State had difficulties once again trying to sustain an offensive attack, putting pressure on its defensemen, which were unable to keep holding back the Bobcat offense.

“We need to compete every shift till the final buzzer,” Wierson said. “Our guys weren’t moving. We’ll get into trouble when that happens.”

Van saw firsthand the difference in mindsets between the two teams in the third.

“Ohio wanted it more. Their determination was better than ours,” Van said. “We need to have better determination and play physical tomorrow. If we play like we did in the first, we’ll be good.”

Iowa State will look to split the series tomorrow at the Ames/ISU Ice Arena. Faceoff is at 8 p.m. following the conclusion of the ISU women’s game.