Cyclone Hockey pushed its record to a spotless 8-0 with victories this weekend over the Eastern Michigan Eagles, 6-4 and 3-1 on Friday and Saturday, respectively.

It wasn’t easy, though, because for the first time all season Iowa State failed to score a goal in a period. The Eagles put two goals on the board in the first period, marking the first time the Cyclones failed to score first, as well as the first time all season that the Cyclones trailed another team.

“It was a different effect for us, but we knew we could battle back though,” said sophomore Mike Paulsen. “We have a good solid team. We were in trouble, but we were fine.”

Things loosened up a bit in the second period after a goal by Paulsen – his first of two on the night – brought the Cyclones within one. After a series of penalties, the Eagles scored on a five-on-three power play, dampening the spirits of the largest crowd of the season and sending the score to 3-1.

It was parents’ night at the ISU/Ames Ice Arena, and the crowd itself may have been one of the causes for the slow start.

“The crowd was bigger tonight. It’s an exciting weekend, family weekend – lots of parents around,” said coach Al Murdoch. “Guys were playing hard, maybe overplaying a bit.”

With the Eagles still on a five-on-four power play and the Cyclones trailing 3-1, they had reached what may have been the most important two minutes of the game. Despite the mounting odds, the Cyclones rose to their first true challenge of the season. In particular it was Mike Murtaugh who spurred the Cyclones. He intercepted a pass in the Eagles’ zone, and then swooped toward the net while being hooked from behind. As he was being dragged to the ground, he flipped the puck over the goalkeeper into the net for the shorthanded goal.

“That got the crowd into the game, and it got the rest of the team into the game” Murdoch said. “That was a huge play.”

After Paulsen’s second goal of the game, the score was tied, and the Cyclones gained the lead, just minutes into the third period with two quick goals. It was Trent Graham with the game-winner and Jayson Peterson with the goal just 32 seconds later to seal the game.

The series may have been won Friday night after the come-from-behind win, but the fact remained they still had to go back out Saturday and face a team looking for vengeance.

An early goal by Allen Raushel, as well as the game winner by Trevor Graham, and an insurance goal by Zach Hargis helped the Cyclones to a 3-1 victory. Good goalkeeping by Trent Baker and Matt Johnson, who combined to allow only three goals, aided in the Cyclone victories.

The Cyclones head out on the road to play the preseason third-ranked Ohio University this weekend.

“I think it’s to our advantage to play on the road. I think we’re a better team on the road,” Murdoch said.

“We have been historically, and I think this team will be, too.”