A subtle wave from Trent Baker quietly acknowledged the ovation from a capacity crowd last Friday night as he skated off the ice at the Ames/ISU Ice Arena for the final time.

The senior goaltender from Lincoln, R.I. was pulled halfway through the second period after working 30 shutout minutes between the pipes against Division 2 Minnesota in the final home game of his four-year career with the Cyclones.

“This last game really meant a lot,” Baker said. “After four years of going through the grind and the grit and sacrificing my body in front of the puck everyday, getting that applause was a great way to go out.”

Baker has been instrumental in the Cyclones’ current hot streak, as his sparkling play has led the No. 6 Cyclones (31-8-2) to a 13-2-1 record in the second semester.

“I have really just let him loose,” said assistant coach Brian Wilkie. “Everything is working really well for him. I’m just trying to let him be himself, and I think he’s really responded to that.”

After seeing his fair share of troubles in the net and being forced to split time with freshman Christian Johansson early on, Baker has turned things around in the second half of the season.

Since Jan. 12, Baker has given up just 28 goals in 13 games, and has not allowed more than three goals in 10 of his last 11. During this stretch, Baker has seen his goals against average drop by a full goal.

“There have been some changes for me both on and off the ice this semester,” Baker said. “Things have settled down all around me now and it has allowed me to be a lot more focused, and I’ve really started to enjoy the game of hockey again.”

His resurgence could not have come at a better time for the Cyclones, who faced the toughest portion of their schedule in the last five weeks of the season. All but two of his 13 games since Jan. 12 have come against teams currently ranked No. 2, 3, 5, 9 and 16 in the nation.

“He’s the heart and soul of this defense,” said senior Jason Brown, who has played with Baker for all four years. “When he’s hot, it rubs off on the defense, and eventually gets everything going for the whole team. Knowing we have a great goaltender erases some of the tension put on everybody else.”

Baker and Brown were both named to the Central States Collegiate Hockey League All-Star team, but were unable to make the trip to Champaign, Ill. on Saturday because of bad weather.

His stellar play in the CSCHL Tournament led the Cyclones to their first tournament title since 2001-2002 and earned him tournament MVP for stopping 90 of 98 shots and notching a goal and an assist in the process.

Baker has owned at least a share of the starting role in the net for all four years since coming to Ames from Rhode Island.

He spent the 2001-2002 season with the Des Moines Buccaneers, then played one season of junior hockey with the New England Coyotes before coming back to go to school at Iowa State.

“I knew about Iowa State when I was in Des Moines, and I wanted to get a change in scenery,” Baker said.

“I really liked it when I was here the first time, and it’s just changed the pace of my life for awhile.”

The final games of Baker’s career will come on the biggest stage of the season, when the Cyclones make their 16th consecutive ACHA National Tournament appearance in Youngstown, Ohio from Feb. 28 to Mar. 4.

“It just all comes together with him on the ice,” Brown said. “Defense wins championships, and he’s got the ability to do it for us.”

 
Games Played 17
Games Started 16/26
Did Not Play 9
Partial Time 6
Minutes 741.5
Goals Allowed 55
Goals Against Avg. 4.45
 

 
Games Played 13
Games Started 13/14
Did Not Play 1
Partial Time 2
Minutes 728.7
Goals Allowed 28
Goals Against Avg. 2.31