Alan Murdoch wants 800th win this weekend against Weber State

By By Ben Cameron

Daily Staff Writer

Already the most winning active hockey coach anywhere and in any sport, ISU Men’s Hockey Club coach Alan Murdoch is looking to reach number 800 this weekend at home as his No. 8 Cyclones host No. 7 Weber State.

Murdoch currently sits at 799 career wins at Iowa State. He has been at Iowa State for 35 years as the hockey coach and said he looks forward to getting No. 800 behind him.

“I’d like to get 800 and get it out of the way and look forward to another 800,” Murdoch said. “Hopefully, we’ll have 801 by the end of the weekend.”

After a hard fought series last weekend against No. 1 Ohio, the schedule doesn’t get any easier for the club.

Murdoch said he looks for a good series this weekend between the two squads.

Weber State is as an “excellent team” that will be looking to move up in the rankings by showing it can win on the road, Murdoch said.

“They play a lot of road games, so they’ll be ready to play here this weekend,” he said.

At the same time, Murdoch said, he thinks his team is heading into the series in good shape.

“Our team is entering into a new level of conditioning,” Murdoch said.

“We are skating better, our special teams are getting better, and our defense is improving all the time.”

Murdoch said the goaltending is also further along than even he expected for this point in the season.

The Cyclones come into the weekend looking for some payback. Last season, Weber State beat the Cyclones in the consolation game of the American Collegiate Hockey League Tournament.

“Losing the last game gives you a long time to think about it for the next season, so it’s time to even the score,” Murdoch said.

This feeling was shared by Zach Peterson.

“They beat us in nationals last year, so it’s time for some payback,” Peterson said.