The ISU men’s hockey team got to spend some time in the sun during this past weekend’s road series against Arizona State, but could only manage a split with the Ice Devils.

The 5th ranked Cyclones raced to an 8-5 victory on Friday, but Saturday saw the Cyclones fall to ASU 4-1.

Friday’s game was played at America West Arena, home of the NHL’s Phoenix Coyotes and allowed Cyclone players a chance to play in a top-notch facility.

“The whole atmosphere of that arena was just amazing,” defenseman Nat Little said. “Once we got the game started, though, it was just like we were playing at any other arena.”

Sophomore Glenn Detulleo said he and other players were in awe when they first entered the arena and almost couldn’t believe they were in a locker room that a NHL team was in the night before.

“I just sat there thinking ‘I’m sitting where a professional hockey player sat last night,'” Detulleo said.

The Cyclones, however, didn’t let those distractions affect their play as seven players scored goals on Friday night.

Jeremy Meyer had two goals while Detulleo, Little, Brian Paolello, Scott Steinkamp, Andrew Murdoch and Tory Larson each had a goal of his own. Phil Popp made 28 saves on the night to gain the victory.

“Our guys came out and played tremendous on Friday night,” Head Coach Al Murdoch said. “Our goaltending was tremendous all weekend long and the defense is starting to step it up, so we are heading in the right direction.”

Saturday night’s contest, however, was a different story as Scott Steinkamp was the only Cyclone that could manage to get the puck past the Ice Devil’s goalie in the 4-1 loss.

Coach Murdoch said an energized Arizona State team came out on Saturday and out-hustled and out-hit the Cyclones.

“They came out firing on Saturday and we weren’t capitalizing on our opportunities,” Little said. “Now we have to forget about the loss and concentrate on this weekend.”

This weekend the Cyclones travel to Illinois for a CSCHL showdown with the 11th ranked Illini and are looking for a needed win.

“We need to start out fast and get into a rhythm in the game,” Coach Murdoch said. “We want to get two wins this weekend and solidify our chances of getting into the ACHA national tournament.”

He said during this week’s practices there has been more of a push from the coaching staff and the upperclassmen to focus on executing on the ice.

“We know this weekend we have to be ready to go from the very start,” Detulleo said. “Saturday night we weren’t ready to fight for a win and we can’t afford to let that happen against Illinois.”