The No. 12 ISU men’s hockey club will travel to Eastern Michigan for a crucial Central States Collegiate Hockey League Series against the 10th-ranked Eagles.

Both teams completed sweeps last weekend, as the Cyclones took out Oklahoma while Eastern Michigan handed Western Michigan two losses.

ISU head coach Alan Murdoch said the victories against Oklahoma gave Iowa State plenty of confidence to take on the Eagles this weekend.

He also said he knows momentum is important for the team as it looks to stay within the American Collegiate Hockey Association’s top 16 teams and qualify for the national tournament in March.

“They are one of the most improved teams this year, and this is a big, big series for us on the road,” Murdoch said.

Murdoch said the Cyclones are once again in for a physical series this weekend.

He said any wins this weekend in Ann Arbor, Mich., will be big for the team to move up in rankings and secure a tournament spot. “This is a huge series for us. [It is] our last road series, excluding the tournaments, and getting two wins should really help us in the rankings,” he said.

The Cyclones will also have to match the Eagles’ intensity throughout the game.

Against the Sooners, the Cyclones used their size advantage and depth to outmuscle the Sooners and wear them down.

The team used solid goaltending in last weekend’s series.

“Our goalie play was pretty good,” he said. “It should get even better as we go down the stretch.”

Senior Scott Hagen, who had two goals and an assist in last weekend’s win, said he is looking forward to the challenge.

“We used our size and depth well against [Oklahoma], and I think if we use it the same way against Eastern Michigan, it will be an advantage for us,” Hagen said.

Murdoch agreed, adding, “We play with four lines, and that really gives us an advantage at the end of games.”

Friday’s game is at 7:30 p.m. and Saturday’s is at 4:30 p.m.