Cyclone Hockey returned to the Ames/ISU Ice Arena on Friday for its third consecutive home series. The Cyclones battled hard but lost 2-1 to the Lindenwood University Lions in a shootout.

The Lions started off strong, creating multiple scoring opportunities in the first period. The Cyclones, however, struck first with 10:42 left in the period.

Senior forward Trevor Sabo took advantage on a breakaway, giving the Cyclones the lead and some momentum.

“You always want to try and get the first goal,” said head coach and general manager Jason Fairman. “It gives your team a good boost.”

The rest of the first period remained scoreless, as did a most of the second. Lindenwood’s Jordan Klimovski then tied the game at one, with 9:02 remaining in the period.

The Lions killed off the only Cyclone power play in the second period and the teams headed into the second intermission locked at one.

“We kind of sat back and weathered the storm a little bit, instead of taking it to them right away,” Sabo said.

Sabo added that scoring the first goal gave the team some momentum, but that they needed to attack more and come out stronger.

Senior goaltender Matt Goedeke agreed and explained why Lindenwood is such a tough team to play against.

“They have talented players and they play pretty well within their system,” Goedeke said. “They’re always moving, so it can be challenging to keep track of where certain guys are as far as coverage.”

Goedeke stopped all the shots he faced in the third period, as did Lindenwood, which sent the team to 3-on-3 overtime.

While both teams had chances, neither team capitalized on them. Goedeke once again stayed strong.

“We’re trusting [Goedeke] to make that first save as long as we’re picking up the guys crashing the net,” Sabo said. “It definitely worked out today and it’s been working out the past couple weekends here.”

Fairman said Goedeke has been great for the team for many games now, which certainly gives the players confidence in front of him, knowing they can trust him.

Saturday, Goedeke and the rest of the team will be up for another tough challenge, as they play their last game against Lindenwood during this year’s regular season.

Fairman said he thought the team gave a good effort tonight, but thought they needed better scoring chances.

The Cyclones will aim to come out stronger and do exactly that to even the series on Saturday.