Iowa State knew it had a chance to greatly improve its league standings this past weekend.

When all was said and done, the Cyclones did just that, receiving 12 out of a possible 16 league points as they pulled a win and a tie against their two opponents.

Friday night’s game with Kent State was a goaltending showcase as Kent State’s Cameron Lee squared off against Iowa State’s Nate Dahlen.

An early power play chance gave Kent State a 1-0 lead after Zac Desjardin lit the lamp just 2:30 into the contest. This was the only goal of the first 20 minutes of action.

The score remained until midway through the third, when ISU defenseman Rob Rose placed the puck past Lee to even the score at 1-1.

One minute later, Mark Krueger scored to break the tie and move the home squad ahead 2-1.

“We started to regroup in the third period and play our good, solid hitting style of hockey,” said ISU coach Al Murdoch.

The Cyclones appeared as if they had the momentum, but another man-advantage opportunity opened the door for the Golden Flashes.

They accepted the gift and knotted the score again on a goal by Brian Marino with 6:35 left in regulation. This would be the final tally as the game ended in a 2-2 tie.

“Kent State is playing really well,” Murdoch said. “They hit a peak [Friday], and we were a little flat coming off of the Findlay series.”

Saturday, third-ranked Ohio came into Ames a little rattled after losing to Illinois the night before.

The Bobcats brought in a very strong defense, allowing just over two goals a game. Iowa State’s answer was simple — sting them early and often.

Only four minutes into the first period, Cyclone Mike Gilbertson beat the OU goalie, giving the home team a 1-0 lead. The Bobcats didn’t have time to blink as Krueger scored eight seconds later to strengthen the Cyclones’ lead.

While the offensive attack slowed down, it didn’t completely stop. Midway through the stanza, the ‘Clones went up 3-0 on a power play goal by Jeremy Meyer.

Ohio’s Greg Benedetti finally put the Bobcats on the board late in the first to send the game to the first intermission at 3-1.

“They got on us in the first 10 minutes, and we never really got out of the gate,” said Ohio head coach Craig McCarthy. “I thought we played better as the game went on, but we were already down too far.”

Ohio struck fast in the second, getting back into contention with the help of a goal by Matt Shenk. With the score 3-2 and just 2:26 off the clock, it looked as if Ohio had a head of steam.

The Cyclones made sure to keep their opponent at arm’s length when Tony Infusino scored 19 seconds later to keep his squad ahead, 4-2. Krueger ended the period with his second goal of the night, and Iowa State took a 5-2 lead to the locker room.

Ohio’s Darin Alviano put in a goal very late in the third period, but the game had been decided as the Cyclones upset the Bobcats 5-3.

“This is a great win,” said ISU goaltender Phil Popp. “Ohio is one of the top teams, and we left a bit of a dent in them so they know what to expect next time.”

Kent State and Ohio were playing Iowa State as part of a three-game weekend series in which both teams would also visit Illinois and St. Louis.

“We have a short turn-around time, so we’ve got to get some adjustments made on the bus,” McCarthy said.

Both nights, the Cyclone goaltending shut down the opposing offense. Dahlen had 28 saves against Kent State, while Popp stopped 33 of Ohio’s 36 shots.

“They’ve got some good snipers, so you know that they’re going to get some good shots off,” Popp said of the Bobcats. “You’ve just got to come out focused and be prepared.”

With 12 more points in hand, the Cyclones will move up in the CSCHL standings.

“This takes the pressure off of us a little bit,” Murdoch said. “Now [the coaches] can teach and [the players] play our best hockey.”

The Cyclones will end the first semester with a home series against Wisconsin-Whitewater Friday and Saturday night at 7:30 in the Ames Ice Arena.