Coming off a series sweep against Twin Bridges and a 2-0 start last weekend, the ISU men’s hockey club finds itself in a tough battle this weekend with a very good Lindenwood University team.

The Lindenwood Lions begin their second season in the American Collegiate Hockey Association as one of the nation’s top-ranked teams.

Last season the Lions finished fifth in the ACHA, but were not allowed to play in the ACHA tournament because they were a first-year team.

Iowa State finished eighth last year in the ACHA, creating a great early season matchup between two top teams.

“It should be a great series with Lindenwood,” said Andrew Murdoch, associate head coach. “You couldn’t start off against a better team.”

The Cyclones may be slight underdogs, but they said they will be ready to play.

Senior Travis Fast said the Cyclones “must keep up the physical play and charge the net.”

Fast said he expects the weekend’s series to be very fast-paced with plenty of hard hitting. This sentiment was also felt by ISU players.

“This weekend’s series should bring big hitting and plenty of goal scoring,” senior defenseman Tim O’Shea said.

The Cyclones are still adjusting to playing together after completing the first full week of practice.

The team was “getting down to the basics” and the coaches were still getting the players used to Iowa State’s system, Murdoch said.

Club head coach Alan Murdoch said he thinks his team is ready.

“The team looks good, and they feel good too,” he said.

ISU goalie Trent Baker will again be between the posts after getting his first win and shutout last weekend.

The Cyclone defense allowed two goals in its second game against Twin Bridges.

Fast, senior Brent Popadych and freshman Mike Paulsen will try to add to their two-goal totals from the season openers last weekend.