It’s crunch time. There are two more conference games, against a top-10 opponent and annual rival, and then it’s on to the conference and national tournaments.

As you might expect, things are starting to heat up on the ice for the No. 6 Cyclones (24-8-2), as every day brings them one step closer to judgment day.

“Everything is a lot more intense now,” said junior captain Matt McLin. “We’ve hit full stride in the final third of the year, and as far as we’re concerned, this is a whole new season now.”

McLin and assistant captains Jayson Peterson and Allen Raushel, both juniors, have been in this situation before, so the eyes of the team will naturally turn to the trio for leadership.

“We’re all kind of under the spotlight right now,” said McLin. “Everything we’ve worked for this season has come down to this, so players like Jayson, Allen, and myself are trying to lead by example as much as we can.”

After dismantling Saint Louis last weekend, the Cyclones prepare to face a more formidable opponent, No. 9 Kent State (26-9-1), who is also on the brink of a national tournament berth.

“Kent State is in a very similar position as us right now,” said coach Al Murdoch. “They’re right with us in the conference standings and national rankings, so whoever looks best this weekend will get a real leg up when seedings for the tournaments are decided.”

The Cyclones currently sit four points ahead of the Golden Flashes for fourth place in the Central States Collegiate Hockey League standings, meaning one Cyclone win in this eight-point weekend will secure them a four seed in the conference tournament.

Kent State is led offensively by junior Jason O’Bannon, who leads all ACHA players in points (81) and assists (53) this season, leading the second-place player by 11 points in both categories.

Sophomore Chris Hourigan also ranks fifth in the country in points (57), propelling a Golden Flashes offense that leads the nation in goals scored this season with 197 in 36 games (5.47 ppg).

“We have to be able to shut them down in the offensive zone,” Murdoch said. “We have been playing extremely well on defense lately, so we have to get on top of them right from the start and never get them a chance to get any momentum.”

On the other side of the puck this weekend, the Cyclones’ defense has only surrendered 18 goals in the last eight games (2.25 ppg).

Goaltenders Trent Baker and Christian Johansson have both played superbly between the pipes since returning from break, protecting an offense that has had its share of troubles scoring goals in conference play.

“Both Trent and Christian have stepped up their games tremendously,” Murdoch said. “They give us the confidence that no matter who we put out there, we have a great chance to win.”