The Cyclones opened the second half of the season with a difficult schedule and even tougher losses, and they’ll find no relief this weekend when they face American Collegiate Hockey Association’s Division II third-ranked Minot State University Beavers at Ames/ISU Ice Arena.

Iowa State (4-12-1), is coming off difficult losses to South Dakota State University and St. Scholastica and is unsure of what to expect from Minot State University (5-3-5).

Minot is new in the ACHA this season, but the Cyclones say they are well aware that they have to be quick and relentless going into this weekend.

“I have heard only a little bit about [Minot State],” said junior Megan Lueneburg. “From what I’ve heard they have a couple of girls from Canada, so I’m sure they’re going to come out strong and quick. Our team is going to have to jump on the puck right away and not let up.”

Even though it is the Beavers’ first season in the ACHA, they have proved themselves dominant in a somewhat difficult conference.

They beat St. Scholastica, who beat the Cyclones last weekend as well as split last weekend’s series against ACHA Division II top-ranked South Dakota State University. The one loss came by only one goal.

The Cyclones, however, say they are up for the challenge and hope to play with the same intensity they showed against St. Scholastica.

Most of all, they want to maintain steady heads and stay out of penalty trouble to prevent further exhaustion that the shorthanded team has been experiencing.

“We need to get a lot less penalties this weekend,” sophomore defender Erin Wessling said. “It’s hard enough with a short bench, but it hurts us twice as much when we have somebody in the penalty box.”

Despite the Cyclones’ struggle on penalty kills in previous games and their vague knowledge of the team they face this weekend, coach Joe McCarron and the rest of the team have an optimistic outlook heading in.

“We’re not too sure what to expect from them,” McCarron said, “but as long as we get a good start and continue the hard work that we’ve been putting in, I see no reason why we shouldn’t come away with two wins.”