After being swept last weekend at No. 7 Eastern Michigan, the Cyclones return home to face No. 8 Robert Morris College with hopes of solidifying their postseason chances.

This weekend’s home series, the last to be played at the Ames/ISU Ice Arena this season, is vital for the Cyclones in order to secure a berth in the American Collegiate Hockey Association tournament in March.

“This series is huge for us, we have to go out and make a statement that we belong,” said senior Tim O’Shea.

Standing in the way is Robert Morris, perhaps the most improved team in the ACHA this season. Last year the Eagles didn’t qualify for the ACHA tournament, but this year they are ranked seventh.

Head coach Alan Murdoch said he knows his team can’t take the Eagles lightly.

“They are a good team, very improved from last year, but this is our barn, we need to come out and defend it,” Murdoch said.

Murdoch said a sweep for the Cyclones will most likely secure a tournament berth for his team, something his Cyclones have done every year the ACHA tournament has taken place.

“We need to step up and play through the pains and be physical this weekend,” Murdoch said.

For O’Shea and eight other seniors, this weekend marks their last home game. O’Shea said all of them want to walk away from their last home series as winners.

“It’s senior night on Saturday, and all nine of us seniors want to walk out of here with a sweep this weekend,” he said.

“We all want our last home games to be wins.”

O’Shea said he knows Robert Morris is not an easy win.

“They have gotten better each year we’ve played them, so I expect no less from them this year,” O’Shea said.

“We’ve been working a lot this week on being quick with the puck and making smart decisions.”

Game times are 7:30 p.m. Friday and 9 p.m. Saturday.