The No. 12 ISU men’s hockey club will be shorthanded while hosting its final regular season series this weekend against Davenport University.

Five of the Cyclones’ top players will be in Chicago for the Central States Collegiate Hockey League All-Star Game.

Defensemen Mike Moren and David Moline, as well as forwards Travis Fast, Scott Hagen and Griffen Gale, will represent Iowa State at the game.

Moren, American Collegiate Hockey Association defensive player of the month, said it is an honor to be selected for the All-Star Game.

“This is my third time, and it’s pretty cool to get to go play with all the top players,” he said.

“All-star games are fun and I’m looking forward to going out there.”

With players absent, the Cyclones’ younger players will have a chance to experience their roles next season.

“This is a big chance for them to step up,” said coach Alan Murdoch.

“They will get lots of playing time, so it’s a chance for them to show us what they can do.”

The match is at the Buccaneer Ice Arena in Urbandale, where the Cyclones beat Arizona State earlier in the season in front of nearly 2,000 fans.

“It’s a good last test for us, a good chance for the young guys to get some experience and for us to get a lot of confidence going into nationals,” Moren said.

After placing seventh at last weekend’s league tournament, the Cyclones will use this matchup to prepare for next weekend’s American Collegiate Hockey Association national tournament at Robert Morris College.

Davenport University comes to Des Moines as one of the better Division II ACHA teams in the nation, and Murdoch said he knows it won’t be a pushover.

“They are a very solid D-2 team, we’ll have to come out and play top-notch hockey, especially getting ready for nationals next weekend,” he said.

Murdoch said Davenport is a well-coached team that has good skaters and likes to play fast-paced, up-tempo hockey.

With several scoring threats, Murdoch said his goalie will have to be at his best.

Friday’s game is at 7:30 p.m., and Saturday’s is at 2 p.m.