Starting off on the correct skate was vital for the ISU club hockey team, and an opening weekend split with the St. Cloud State Huskies would have to suffice.

Iowa State won 7-1 on Friday night and suffered a 4-2 defeat Saturday.

The Cyclones put it all out on the ice Friday night against the Huskies.

“I liked the enthusiasm of the players, the hustle and the fearlessness in that they didn’t avoid contact,” said ISU coach Al Murdoch.

The Cyclones got out of the gates early against the Huskies, leading 2-0 after their first 20 minutes of the season.

During the second period, the Cyclones refused to give up the lead and scored another set of back-to-back goals against the Huskies. Freshman defenseman Brad Gerein scored, followed 45 seconds later with a goal from freshman forward Chris Cucullu, giving the Cyclones a 4-0 lead.

The Huskies received penalties during the game that allowed the Cyclones to execute successful power plays.

During a two-minute penalty that Huskie forward Chris Sylvester received for illegal substitution, freshman forward Marcus Malmsten was able to drive the puck to the net.

There were heated arguments throughout Friday night’s game that led to penalties for both teams. During the second period, tempers flared between Cucullu, sophomore defenseman Justin Wilkinson, and Huskie forward Taylor Saunders that resulted in roughing penalties for the lot.

During the last few minutes of the game, another fight broke out on the ice between Wilkinson and Huskie defenseman Anthony Behl, resulting in both players getting kicked out of the game for misconduct.

The Huskies were finally able to get a tally on the scoreboard during the third period when forward Mike Gabbert scored against ISU goalie Paul Karus leaving the final score at 7-1.

“We had a good game, and we showed good heart. We had lots of power plays,” said forward Beau Jensen.

For Saturday night’s game, the Huskies came back ready to play hard.

Although the Cyclones fired 43 shots against Huskie goalie Kyle Miller, Iowa State’s two goals left them two behind St. Cloud State.

“They had a great game and wanted to win. We brought more last night than we did tonight,” Wilkinson said.

The course of the game was filled with penalties for both teams. The Cyclones had 23 penalty minutes, while the Huskies had 24.

They including elbowing penalties, cross checking and a game misconduct penalty for Cyclone defenseman Kyle Ralston, resulting in a 10-minute penalty.

“After the first [period], we talked about staying out of the penalty box, but that was all talk. This loss will bring out the best in us. We have to get out the kinks,” Wilkinson said.

The first period of the game was scoreless for both teams, and the Huskies scored the first goal in the second period against ISU freshman goalie Scott Ismond.

“I was a little nervous being my first start as a freshman. It was a good experience,” Ismond said.

Failed power plays throughout the game by the Cyclones and hard skating by the Huskies resulted in the loss.

“We just didn’t have the edge tonight,” Murdoch said. “We’re not in game shape yet, but we will bounce back.”

The Cyclones will play the University of Central Oklahoma at the Ames/ISU Ice Arena at 7:30 p.m. Friday.