Junior Forward Chris Mackay was the first to tumble into the net in the Cyclones series opener against Central Oklahoma Friday night in their 4-3 victory over the Bronchos.

As the first period continued, the goal continued to tease the Cyclones.

At the 8:05 mark in the first period, sophomore defenseman Nick Larsen had his slap-shot deflect off the goalie’s glove and into the net, only to have it discounted on account of the official blowing this whistle pre-maturely.

The No. 10 Bronchos were the first to put the puck in the net, however, as senior forward Erik Jansen got out on a breakaway and put the puck past the stick of Cyclone goaltender Paul Karus; putting Central Oklahoma up 1-0 with 1:28 remaining in the opening period and would take that lead into the second period.

“I think it was a case where we have to finish off our plays,” coach Al Murdoch said. “We played a little better defensively overall (in the second period). It was just a matter of winning the races to the puck; winning the one-on-one battles and getting possession of the puck.”

Iowa State evened the score at 1-1 just five minutes into the second period off a goal from senior forward Brian Spring. Junior forward Mike Lebler and sophomore defender Brody Toigo were credited with the assists.

“I got the puck down in the corner, I think it was right at the end of a power play,”Spring said. “I wanted to get to the net and luckily it went in.”

Lebler continued to push the Cyclones as he was able to poke the puck across the line while in a big cluster in front of the net with 5:25 remaining in the second period, putting Iowa State up 2-1.

The Bronchos wouldn’t go down easily.

They evened the score at 2-2 with 1:47 remaining in the second period, but Spring wouldn’t have any of it as he scored his second goal of the contest 27 seconds later to put the the Cyclones back on top 3-2 to end the second period.

Mackay was able to put the the puck in the net, as opposed to falling in himself, with 12:10 in the third period. The puck was deflected off a stick into the Cyclones attacking zone; MacKay caught up to it and beat the the goalie stick side to put Iowa State up 4-2.

Central Oklahoma cut the deficit to one with 3:12 remaining in the third period when sophomore defender Nick Novak fired a shot from just in front of the blue line. The puck deflected off the glove of Karus and senior forward Shawn Steggles was there to clean up the mess, cutting the score to 4-3.

The Cyclones were able to hang on and win by the one-goal margin.

A key part to Iowa State’s victory was their play on special teams and how they rebounded after the Bronchos scored their goals.

“I think we responded real well,” Lebler said. “They’re a good team and made it difficult on us out there, but we did a good job of responding and staying with them.”