In its first road trip of the season, the No. 9 ISU men’s hockey club swept its series against league rival, No. 17 St. Louis University, in St. Louis.

As ISU head coach Alan Murdoch put it, the team had a “great weekend.”

The Billikens were Iowa State’s first Central States Collegiate Hockey League opponent of the year.

Friday night’s game was played on an Olympic-size rink, which is 15 feet wider and 10 feet longer than the standard rink.

Murdoch said the Cyclones used their speed as an advantage in Friday night’s game and that his team adjusted well to the change in rink.

The Cyclones controlled the game from start to finish, winning 9-2.

Goalie Trent Baker played the first two periods, allowing just one goal, and picking up an assist on a power play goal — a rarity for a goaltender.

“Baker played good hockey this weekend in only allowing one goal in each game,” Murdoch said.

On Saturday, the two teams returned to the standard-size ice rink, but the result of the game was the same.

Murdoch said he thinks his team used the smaller rink to its advantage as well, as it is a good physical team.

The Cyclones again took it to the Billikens, winning 6-3.

Baker played the first two periods, and again allowed only one goal. Ironically enough, he also notched his second assist of the series.

Other standout players for the Cyclones were senior Travis Fast, who notched three goals and two assists in the series, and senior Brent Popadych, who scored two goals and added three assists. Fast was named the player of the week.

Scott Hagen had two goals, including a goal with a two-man disadvantage. Sophomore Griffen Gale also scored two goals.

The Cyclones now stand at 4-2 on the season and are 2-0 in the league play.

“These are two really big wins for us in CSCHL play,” Murdoch said. “We played great hockey this weekend and are off to a great start in our league.”

The Cyclones will host St. Clair College on Friday and Saturday.

St. Clair is a Canadian school, and is the equivalent of a Division 1 school in the United States.

“This will be some of the best hockey the fans will see all season,” Murdoch said.