The Cyclone Hockey team is riding high after a weekend sweep of Missouri. In the two games, Iowa State scored 18 total goals, which had head coach Al Murdoch impressed with his team’s performance.

Much of the momentum gained in the games can be attributed to the Cyclones’ fast start.

“We really came out of the blocks hard and took control of the games early,” Murdoch said. “I guess you could say we ignited the ice.”

In Friday’s game, the Cyclones scored seven goals in the first period alone. The goalkeeping in both games was also tremendous as the Cyclones only allowed two goals.

“Everyone played really well,” Murdoch said. “Austin Maginnis played really well in net, as did Paul Karus in the second game.”

Murdoch also spoke highly of the play of his defensemen. Murdoch said he was especially impressed with the play of Brandon Clark and Justin Wilkinson.

A good reason for the Cyclones’ 18 goals during the weekend was the outstanding performance in both games by freshman David Kurbatsky.

“Of the six rookies we have on the team this season, Kurbatsky really showed he could be a big time player,” Murdoch said. “All six of them played really well, but Kurbatsky looked like the cream of the crop.”

Before coming to Iowa State, Kurbatsky played for the Owatonna Express, which is a junior league hockey team out of Owatonna, Minn.

“He spent three years in Junior League where he played 60 to 70 games each year,” Murdoch said. “It looks like all of that experience is now paying off at the college level.”

Kurbatsky, originally from San Ramon, Calif., has hockey in his blood. Kurbatsky is a second-generation Russian with a strong background in hockey.

Most players on the Iowa State roster played for a Junior Hockey League team before coming to play for the Cyclones. This experience is a good formula for a winning team.

Even after the two big games, the team still has much to work on.

“Our penalty killing is going to have to get stronger,” Murdoch said. “As opposing teams get better as the season goes on, they will get better on the power plays. This is when our penalty killers will really have to step up.”

The Cyclones look to carry the success from their season opener to the upcoming games against another Big 12 rival, Kansas.