The third period has expired, and now it’s time to win or go home.

The final third of the ISU men’s ice hockey team’s season consisted of 13 games, of which Iowa State won nine.

With the regular season complete, Cyclone Hockey (33-8-2) collaborated a 9-3-1 record in the third “period” of the season and have started preparing for overtime – the American Collegiate Hockey Association National Tournament.

Before fully turning their attention to their first-round game against Oklahoma, coach Al Murdoch and sophomore forward Allen Raushel sat down to reflect on four aspects of their performance.

Milestones and records

The third period of the season saw Iowa State reach the benchmark of a 30th victory, which is not an easy task for any club.

“This team right now is definitely top five, no question about it, and that’s out of 35 years of coaching,” Murdoch said.

The team also has the chance to become one of the elite teams in Cyclone Hockey history by tying the Cyclones record of 37 wins set by the ’99 National Champion team.

In order to reach the record, they must do it in the same fashion as the ’99 team, by winning all four games in the National Tournament.

Offensive production

The offense saw production sputter in the third period. Its average goals per game dropped to 4.6, down from 5.2 last period.

“It could be that our offense hasn’t stepped up quick enough,” Raushel said. “That’s one thing we’ve definitely been working on in practice is getting into that playoff level.”

Despite the drop-off, the team is still scoring at an average that is above that of the goals allowed per game, and are fueled by a quartet of offensive players, all of whom have a chance to end the season as point leader. Trevor Graham and Jason Brown lead the team with 57 points, Mike Murtaugh leads in goals with 34 and Raushel leads in assists with 38.

Defensive strength

Despite the drop in offensive production, Iowa State has continued to win games because of the strength of their defense.

“The center of our defense is our goaltenders,” Murdoch said. “Right now Matt Johnson and Trent Baker are playing outstanding.”

The defense improved, dropping its 2.7 goals allowed per game to 2.38.

“On defense we play eight different defensemen any given weekend,” Murdoch said. “I’ll put them in anytime, anywhere because they are all playing absolutely excellent.”

The rivalry

Iowa State rekindled a rivalry with the University of Illinois that dates back to the early ’70s. After 13 match-ups and three seasons, the Cyclones finally defeated Illinois in a shoot-out. Adding to the renewed rivalry was a close 3-2 loss in the third period and a loss to Illinois in overtime in the Central States Collegiate Hockey League tournament.

“The rivalry on a personal level is huge,” Raushel said. “Now there’s a new passion out there and there’s more than just a playoff game – there’s a rivalry with it.”

If Cyclone Hockey and Illinois both win their first round games in the ACHA tournament, they will square off for a fourth time in the most important game the rivalry has seen this season.

Cyclone Hockey plays an exhibition series against a Cyclone Alumni All-Star team that just won a tournament in Las Vegas. They will play at 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday at the Ames/ISU Ice Area.