Two years ago, an idea was brought up to USA hockey to send a team of ACHA all-stars to represent the country at an event called the World University Games. Earlier this month, the idea became reality as ISU head coach Al Murdoch led the all-star squad to Poland, the site of this year’s event.Twenty-two players, including six from the Cardinal and Gold, battled teams from across the planet in the Olympic-style event.The squad began its tournament schedule with a match against the Ukraine. ISU forward Mark Krueger tallied the only goal for the United States as the Ukraine dropped a 9-1 loss on the American team.In game two, the United States turned their fortunes around against the usually strong Russians. The Russian team scored the first goal of the game eight minutes into the second period and looked to be taking that lead into the intermission.However, the Americans had different ideas as two goals by the United States in the final 70 seconds of the frame gave Team USA a 2-1 advantage at recess. Two more scores put the United States in great position, and they finished off the upset, winning 4-2.”We had a great gameplan going in,” said ISU and Team USA defenseman Tory Larson. “We were going into it hoping to keep it close. After the first period, we thought we could beat these guys.” Oddly enough, Larson said the majority of the Polish crowd rooted for the American squad throughout the game.”When they started chanting USA, it was one of the best feelings I’ve ever had,” he said.The euphoria did not last long as Team USA squared off with the Czech Republic the next night. The Czechs got on the board early and often, lighting the lamp five times in the first period and coasting to a 9-0 victory.With a 1-2 round robin record, the Americans headed into the seventh-place game against Japan. The Japanese team came back from an early U.S. goal to lead 2-1 after the first period.Nat Little tied the game for Team USA in the second, but by the end of two frames, Japan still had a one-goal advantage. Andrew Murdoch had the only U.S. tally in the third, as the Japanese team pulled away for an 8-4 win and seventh place.The combination of players from ACHA teams gave the students a rare opportunity to bond with people who usually aren’t so friendly during the hockey season.”It was just unbelievable,” Murdoch said. “I couldn’t imagine players that were enemies during the season could come together. They believed in each other, they supported one another, and I can’t imagine the amount of chemistry that these guys had.”Some of the players stated that if they never got to play another game that they would have the Russian game imprinted in their minds for the rest of their lives.”However, hockey was not the only aspect of the experience for the players and coaches. The team got to meet with people from different cultures and experience the land.”We spent the day in Krakow and visited the prison camp at Auschwitz,” Murdoch said. “It was a very disturbing day. Everyone was just drained mentally and physically.”As for the rest of the event, everyone involved was impressed with the grandeur of the competition.”The magnitude of it all was overwhelming. I think we were almost in shock at the quantity of people,” Murdoch said. “I’ve never seen ski jumping in real life. It was wild.”Murdoch indicated that despite the finish, USA Hockey has considered compiling an ACHA team for the 2003 Games to be held in Italy.”They were very impressed with our talent and our class in representing the country,” he said. “It was a superb academic experience through the sport of hockey.”While this was the first trip off the continent for Larson, he hopes that future visits will figure into his plans.”I thought it was a great experience,” he said. “It makes me want to go back and see some other parts of the other countries. I hope it’s not my last time going there.”With the trip completed, the players must get back to the business of preparing for the ACHA national tournament. Larson believes the experience gave the USA players an added advantage.”I think we are going to have an extra step because it’s a lot faster pace in Europe. They move the puck real well,” Larson said. “If we keep our practices upbeat, hopefully the rest of the team will do the same so that we’re flying by the time we get to nationals.”The players now rejoin the Cyclones, who tune up for nationals with a two-game series against Northern State, tonight and Saturday night at 7:30.