After sweeping its season-opening series, the ISU men’s hockey club was swept by Lindenwood, a team that may be playing Division I hockey next year.

Coach Alan Murdoch said last week he expected two barnburner games — and that’s exactly what he got.

Friday night’s game was tough for the Cyclones, as they were shut out by one of the nations top goaltenders, Mark Turniseed, in a 4-0 Lindenwood win.

Murdoch said he thought his team “played good, but just couldn’t find their range.”

Saturday night’s game was just as fast-paced and offense-oriented as Friday night’s game.

The Cyclones broke into the scoring column first when Jason Brown scored with just under two minutes remaining in the first period. Lindenwood answered right back to tie the score at one at the end of the first.

The second period was controlled by Lindenwood as it capitalized on three ISU penalties and took a 4-1 lead.

Lindenwood added a fifth goal two minutes into the third to take a commanding 5-1 lead, but that’s when the Cyclones answered back.

Nick Tuma scored a power play goal just a minute after Lindenwood’s goal, cutting the deficit to 5-2.

The two teams stalemated until Mike Sueker scored with seven minutes left, bringing the Cyclones to within two.

The Cyclones closed the gap to one when senior Brent Popadych scored his third goal of the season, making the score 5-4 with 1:04 to play.

That’s all the closer the Cyclones got, though, as Lindenwood goalie Grahame Lippert made a key stop and the Lions added a empty-net goal with 1 second left to make the final score 6-4.

“The third period we played a lot stronger; we were real tough,” senior Mike Moren said.

Murdoch said he would put Lindenwood in the top four in the country.

“Lindenwood is a well-coached, well-disciplined hockey team,” Murdoch said.