Cyclone women’s hockey is heading on the road for the last time this season, when it faces the Minot State University Beavers in Minot, S.D.

The Cyclones (6-16-1) met with Minot State (6-8-5) earlier in the season, and split a pair of games at the Ames/ISU Ice Arena.

“Last time we faced Minot we played up to about 75 percent of the level of hockey we are capable of playing at,” said coach Joe McCarron.

“We have to go up there and give it our all and leave a lasting impression on Minot.”

The Cyclones are coming off another weekend split against Rainy River Community College, while the Beavers are coming off losses to ACHA Division II leader South Dakota University.

“It’s really kind of hard to say what we expect this weekend,” McCarron said. “When we have a weekend like this [against Rainy River] where you come and play dominant one game and not-so-well the next, you can’t be sure if you’re going to come out with the win or loss.”

Until recently, the inconsistency of dominance in games is something the Cyclones have found themselves caught in throughout a major portion of the season.

This has been proven true especially when it comes down to the third period, when Iowa State has found it difficult to continue playing games through to the end, and most notably, when its exhaustion becomes apparent.

“The third period tended to be our weakness up until this point in the season,” said freshman Dominique Lind. “I just think we need to go out there this weekend and prove ourselves by playing three periods of hockey.”

Minot State should prove to be a challenge for the Cyclones, because Minot State has defeated three teams that Iowa State has fallen to throughout the season. Minot State also has home-ice advantage.

The Cyclones, however, are unfazed at having to take their game on the road.

“Sometimes it’s more fun to get the win, and embarrass a team on their home ice,” said sophomore Abbie Lehman.

The team hopes to come out with its season’s first sweep this weekend in Minot and end the season on a good note.

“It’s an awkward feeling,” McCarron said. “It’s exciting because it’s a long road trip and we definitely have the potential to sweep the weekend, but at the same time it’s the culmination of a season that started six months ago and has been filled with ups and downs that you just have to experience to really understand.”