The ISU club hockey team opens its league season this weekend with a doubleheader against the Fighting Illini of Illinois at the Ames Ice Arena.

Just like two weeks ago, Coach Al Murdoch will face a coach that will accompany him to the World University Games in February. This time the opposition will come courtesy of Illini coach Chad Cassel.

The Cyclones are coming off of a sweep of Weber State last weekend; their first of this young season. Finally finding a winning rhythm has built confidence for the squad heading into league play.

“After getting back-to-back splits, it was good to get over the hump,” said assistant coach Randy Daley.

Illinois offers a very stiff challenge to the Cyclones. Iowa State is ranked No. 6 in the preseason polls, while the Illini occupy the tenth spot in the rankings.

“It puts more pressure on us to prove we’re the sixth-ranked team in the country,” Daley said.

One of the main stories of the season has been the offensive explosion by the front lines, especially the first line of Mark Krueger, Nat Little and Glenn Detulleo.

“They have the ability to change a game or a team’s game plan,” Daley said. “It will be very important to get them off to a fast start, but we also have every bit of confidence in our second and third lines.”

While a lot of scoring has been done on the side of the Cardinal and Gold, they have also given up quite a few goals.

“We have to just change our focus and get away from the wild, shoot-out style,” said Daley. “Defense is not a two-man game. We have to tighten up, which means all five guys have to stay with their assignments.”

This weekend’s situation is similar to two weeks ago, when the Cyclones faced bitter rival Minot State. Iowa State handily defeated the ninth-ranked Beavers in the first game, but suffered a tough loss in the second.

“You hate to lose, but you’ve got to make something out of your losses,” Daley said. “We came out of Friday’s game a little overconfident. A good team will burn you, and they did. Looking back, it’s one of those losses that can be a good thing for us.”

Illinois will provide the first of many tests for the Cyclones to win the CSCHL, which sports eight of the ACHA’s top 15 teams.

“We know we’re going to be in a battle, with no easy shifts or periods,” Daley said. We’re playing a very good team.”