There is only one way the Cyclones could have had a better season than they did — beating Lindenwood in the championship game. Despite losing, the team is still proud of the season it put together.

“This was probably one of the top three seasons I’ve had,” said coach Al Murdoch.

Entering the American Collegiate Hockey Association tournament, the Cyclones had difficulty winning games that went into overtime, going 1-4. After the first game against Kent State, Iowa State regained its confidence by outlasting the Flashes in overtime.

In the next contest, the Cyclones faced off with rival Illinois, who they had split the season series with and once again, the game came down to how well the Cyclones could play in overtime. Thirty-nine seconds into the overtime period, the Cyclones found the back of the net and skated away with their second overtime win in two games, erasing any doubts the team had on whether they could close.

One of the teams the Cyclones could not beat in the regular season was next up. Ohio had beaten the Cyclones all three times they played, including a 3-1 win in the semifinals of the Central States Collegiate Hockey League tournament.

The semifinal game of the A.C.H.A. tournament started off in the wrong direction for the Cyclones after they fell in a 0-2 hole at the end of two periods. Iowa State erupted in the third, scoring three goals before halfway in the period and added an empty net goal at the end of the game to seal the win an earn its first trip to the championship game since 1997.

The title game brought out a lot of nerves on offense for the Cyclones. The defense, on the other hand, was as good as it had been all season. The Cyclones held Lindenwood to two scoreless periods, but a two-goal second would doom the Cyclones.

Iowa State finished second in the final A.C.H.A. rankings with a record of 30-12-4 and will get a boost in next season’s rankings due to its strong performance in the tournament.

Murdoch also added it is rewarding for both the players and coaching staff to make it as far as they did and he looks forward to next season.