The Cyclones earned a split of their weekend series against the University of Illinois.

On the road for the first time this season, Iowa State (5-7-0) fell 2-1 in Friday’s contest at the “Big Pond” in Champaign, Ill.

The Cyclones failed to score on a five-minute power play and a two-minute power play seconds later. The Illini (8-1-1), however, did convert on their power play in the first, scoring past ISU goalie Scott Ismond, making the third start of his career.

In the second period, the Illini made it 2-0 on an odd-man rush. The game remained at a two-goal disadvantage for the Cyclones into the third, increasing the pressure but failing to score. With Ismond pulled in favor of an extra skater, sophomore Brandon Clark scored with 46 seconds left to play. The Cyclones couldn’t get the equalizer, however, and they dropped the opener.

In the Saturday matchup, the teams traded goals in the first. The Illini scored three minutes in when their goaltender sent a long pass to an Illini attacker, who burst past the Cyclone defense and scored against ISU goalie Erik Hudson. The Cyclones would get even when David Kurbatsky scored on the power play with assists from Matt Bennett and Jake Flynn.

Iowa State came flying out of the starting blocks in the second period. Just 36 seconds in, Matt Rucinski gave the Cyclones their first lead of the weekend when he fired a shot past the Illini goaltender. Both teams would play solid defense for the rest of the game, not allowing each other to score. The Cyclones ended up winning 2-1, splitting the road series.

Iowa State committed five penalties in Saturday’s game but held the Illini power play scoreless, while Friday, the Illini held Iowa State scoreless in four tries at the power play. Hudson made 29 saves Saturday to preserve the win.

Senior Cort Bulloch for Iowa State saw action Saturday and drew a two-minute crosschecking penalty. Bulloch separated his shoulder in last weekend’s series with Davenport University.