The No. 12 ISU men’s hockey club continues its three-week home stretch this weekend, hosting Oklahoma on Friday.

In their last three series, the Cyclones have recorded three consecutive splits, coming against No. 6 Minot State, No. 15 Kent State and No. 13 Arizona State. The competition won’t get any easier this week against Oklahoma. The Sooners aren’t ranked in the top 20, but are receiving votes.

The Cyclones return to full strength this weekend, with the return of head coach Alan Murdoch and senior leaders Scott Hagen and David Moline from the World University Games in Innsbrook, Austria. Murdoch said Iowa State can’t take the Sooners lightly.

“They have good size, lots of speed and are pretty physical. It’s their first year of Division 1, but they were a powerhouse Division 2 team last year and will be better this year,” he said.

Hagen and Moline said they share that feeling.

“They were pretty good when they played us last year, and I know they’ll be improved skill-wise this year. We need to use our size as an advantage and be very physical with them. If we do that, I think they’ll be in trouble,” Hagen said.

Back in Ames after their European experience, all three have turned their focus to this weekend’s series against Oklahoma.

Murdoch said the Cyclones need to step up and play like a postseason caliber team.

“It’s playoff time,” Murdoch said, “It’s time for our team to step up and get two big wins.”