Iowa State needed extra time to do it, but on Saturday the Cyclones opened up the ACHA Tournament with a 7-6 overtime win, but penalties nearly doomed the Cyclones to an early exit.

In the first period, the goals came early for both teams, but Iowa State was able to find the net more with junior forward Chris Mackay and freshman forward Derek Kohles. At the end of the period, Iowa State held a 2-1 lead over the Flashes.

Seven and a half minutes into the second, the Cyclones struck again on a Brody Toigo goal bringing the score to 3-1. From then on, the slide began for the Cyclones. Kent State narrowed the gap shortly after on a power play goal and then tied the game with close to four minutes to play in the period.

Shortly after the goal that tied the gamel, Iowa State received a crucial five minute major, which led to Kent State grabbing another goal late in the period to take the 4-3 lead into the locker room.

With 13 minutes to play in the game, Kent State struck again and pushed the lead to 5-3. Three minutes later, senior forward Brian Spring found the back of the net to close the gap and opened up the door for the Cyclones.

Time was not on Iowa State’s side in the third period, so a goal was needed in the worst way just to tie this game up. With six minutes to play, senior forward and leading goal scorer Pete Majkozak scored a clutch game-tying goal. Two minutes later, sophomore forward Cody Steele scored to bring the score to 6-5 and gave the Cyclones their first lead since early in the second period. The game looked to be in hand, but Kent State scored with 22 seconds left to tie the game 6-6 sending the game to overtime.

In overtime, Iowa State was called on an early penalty and forced to kill it off. It turned out to be just the opportunity the Cyclones needed though. Senior forward Brad Krueger sealed the game with a short handed to send the Cyclones to the second round of the tournament to play Illinois on Sunday at 10 a.m.