The 2000-2001 hockey season ended this past weekend for the ISU Cyclones. The team went out west to Tuscon, Ariz. to compete in the ACHA National Tournament. Going in as the fifth seed, the ‘Clones came out with an upset win and a third place finish.

The round-robin section of the tournament pitted Iowa State against two CSCHL foes, Wisconsin-Whitewater and Ohio. Whitewater held the Cardinal and Gold in check early Friday as both teams left the ice tied at one. The Cyclones took more control in the last 40 minutes to take a 5-3 victory into Saturday’s showdown with the Bobcats.

Offense was a luxury Saturday, as both teams showcased their defenses. Iowa State’s Scott Steinkamp brought his squad back from a one-goal deficit with 90 seconds in the game to tie the contest at two. The game went to overtime, where Steinkamp shined again, scoring the game winner and putting the ‘Clones into the semifinals. Iowa State beat Ohio, 3-2.

A tough test came in the semis from Delaware, who upset top-ranked Eastern Michigan to make the final four. ISU defenseman Tory Larson leveled the score at one early in the second.

However, it was then that the Blue Hens took over offensively. Delaware scored six straight times to push the game out of reach for the Cyclones.

The 7-2 loss placed Iowa State in the consolation game against rival Illinois.

The situation paralleled last month’s CSCHL tournament, where the Cyclones and Illini faced off in the league’s third-place contest. The result in both games was also similar as Iowa State finished off their tourney run with an offensive explosion. The ‘Clones put five on the board during the first period, and held on for a 9-5 win, assuring them third place in the ACHA.