The Cyclones have one more home series against North Dakota State, but first they have their sights set on Eastern Michigan and the rest of the field as they head into the CSCHL Tournament on Friday.

Associate head coach Brian Wierson says the team has to get back to playing better hockey and they have to focus on the intangibles.

“We need to get to a point where we’re doing things that are going to win us hockey games. That’s what we’ve been stressing this week is the little things; winning races to the puck, clearing the puck when its time to clear, and executing on odd-man rushes,” Wierson said.

The Cyclones are coming off a sweep at Illinois last weekend, which kept them from winning the CSCHL regular season title.

Wierson also talked about cutting down on turnovers in the defensive zone and creating more turnovers in the offensive zone as well as out-shooting the other team.

Eastern Michigan, the Cyclone’s first round opponent, gave Iowa State a scare in their first matchup of the season, dropping the first game 4-3, in which the Cyclones scored in the final minute to get the victory. In the second game, the Cyclones adjusted and won 10-4 to complete the sweep.

Eastern Michigan has two main weapons: Joe Schweiger and Ian Chornby, who have 79 and 59 total points, respectively, including 36 goals from Schweiger.

“We’re going to be facing a guy in Schwieger who knows how to put the puck in the net,” Wierson said. “Just like last weekend, we’re going to be facing some guys who know how to score and were going to have to shut them down if we want a chance at winning the game.”

Junior forwards Brad Krueger and Brian Spring don’t seem worried about beating the Eagles.

“I think their team is basically just two guys,” Spring said. “If we shut them down we’ll be fine. We addressed that in between games last time so as long as we get out on them early and shut down their big guns, we’ll be fine.”

The Cyclones suffered a first round loss last year at the hands of Kent State in this tournament.

Krueger feels as if their depth and experience will tell a different story this year.

“We didn’t lose any seniors last year so now we have a little more experience, and I think everybody is a little bitter after losing to Illinois, and thinking we should be number one — so we kind of have something to prove now,” Krueger said.