The Cyclones slaughtered the Bison of North Dakota State last weekend, defeating the herd 7-1 on Friday and 4-3 on Saturday.

Iowa State now parades a 24-4-0 season record.

Cyclone Russ Crawford said the squad’s “great defense” was the key to the successful weekend.

“Overall, I’d say the guys really hung in there. Two road wins at North Dakota is a big deal for us. It’s a booster for everybody.”

He explained that NDSU was the team of the ’80s, and its players have always been “a bunch of bruisers.”

“It’s a lot like playing ourselves. It’s a very physical game,” Crawford said.

Cyclone Brain Paolello said the Cyclones went into the series well-aware of the competition and didn’t take the match lightly.

After Friday’s first period, ISU led 4-0. ISU snagged two power play goals in the second while the Bison used a power advantage to lasso their lone match point.

In the final 20 minutes, the Cyclones closed the contest with another goal for a six-point victory.

Paolello said, “In the first game, we pretty much had our way with them.”

In the 7-1 victory, Chris Poli picked up two goals. The other Cyclone contributors to the point total included: Crawford, Tom Grimwood, Jason Vega, Mike Ogbourne and Darcy Anderson.

Saturday’s escapade on ice played out a little differently.

Assistant Coach Hakaan Walltin said, “It was very close. A win is a win, but the game wasn’t our best game so far.”

ISU and NDSU both racked up 32 shots on goal, as compared to ISU’s 30 to 18 advantage the night before.

Up until the third and final chapter, ISU led the contest 4-1. A late Bison scoring spurt put the match outcome in limbo, but the Cyclones managed to hold onto their one-point advantage until the clock ran out.

Paolello said the second game was more competitive and a good game in which the cardinal and gold showcased four consistent lines. Paolello, Poli, Crawford and Brian Wierson each garnered a goal.

Walltin said that during the Saturday evening contest, “Russ Crawford was the best guy for sure on our team.”

Crawford, who claimed two goals in the series, passed a compliment onto goaltender Rob Howitt for his saves and strong defense at NDSU.

“I’d have to say Rob Howitt played fantastic. [NDSU] really peppered him in Saturday night’s game,” Crawford said. “He was making some really big saves for us.”

And a single save made the difference between a tie and what turned out to be a Cyclone 4-3 win.

Crawford said the team is back physically and mentally where it left off before the semester break.

He said the men are still taking things “practice by practice and game by game and are trying to make our way to nationals.”

ISU is set to play Palmer College and St. Paul on Jan. 23 and 24.