Iowa vs. Iowa State. The rivalry goes back further then most students have been alive. Cyclone Hockey, however, has just recently joined the fray.

The Cyclones (14-8), ranked 12th in Division I, will take on Iowa (13-3-1), ranked ninth in Division II. The series will be played across Iowa – the first game will be played at the 95KGGO Arena in Des Moines at 7:30 p.m. Friday, and the second will be at the Cedar Rapids Ice Arena at 3 p.m. Saturday.

So far, the Cyclones have dominated the young rivalry.

“We have had hockey a lot longer then they have, but they have had hockey about six or eight years now,” said ISU coach Al Murdoch. “They started off with their team in Division II of the ACHA and played our JV – our Division II team. When they got to a point that they were dominating our D-II team, they said they wanted to play us. So I guess this is about the fourth year that we’ve played. They haven’t beat us . ever – and it’s my objective to keep it that way.”

Iowa is still a Div. II program, but it seems to be getting better every year. This is the first time Iowa’s hockey team has ever been ranked.

“They are looking to build their program, and they know that the best way to do that is to play a Division I program like Iowa State and play against them well,” Murdoch said.

Though the Cyclones have not yet lost to Iowa on the ice, they are still wary of the talent Iowa has.

“I would say this is going to be the toughest series we’ve played against them since I’ve been here. They are rebuilding the program, and they are getting better,” said junior forward Mike Murtaugh.

Rather than shying away from a tough Iowa team, Murtaugh is excited by the fact that another hockey team from the state of Iowa is attempting to challenge them.

“I’m glad that they are getting better because that will make this series even more exciting for us,” Murtaugh said. “It would be great if I can be here and it is just one- or two-goal games – really close back-and-forth games – that would make it that much more interesting for us and the fans.”

Murdoch is pleased with how far the Hawkeyes have come and would like to see them continue to improve.

“It’s one of those friendly rivalries, and I like to see it. I want to see it grow and develop,” Murdoch said. “Nothing would give me greater pleasure then to see, one day, Iowa and Iowa State both full Division I programs in the state of Iowa.”

As the series is now, however, the Cyclones are definitely the favorites heading into the game. The players feel it is up to them to win or lose.

“We just have to go out there and play our game. We can’t start playing theirs and react to what they do – we need them to react to what we do,” said sophomore defender Adam Mueller. “If we do what we can and practice hard this week, then it shouldn’t be too big of a problem for us.”