Cyclone Hockey played their first game against Ohio University this season on Friday night at Ames/ISU Ice Arena, suffering a 4-1 loss.

Ohio got on the board just 4:48 into the first period, courtesy of Scott Bagby, which set the tone for the rest of the period.

“They got on us early. One goal, kind of took the wind out of our sails,” said senior forward Aaron Azevedo. “Hopefully tomorrow we can get that first one and get them back on their heels, and hopefully take it to them the rest of the game.”

Cyclone Hockey picked up the pace as the game went on, getting more offensive chances and creating opportunities. However, Ohio added another goal in the second period, and two more in the third.

Throughout the game, both teams saw power play chances. The Cyclones had six opportunities with the extra man, and finally cashed in on one of them in the third period, thanks to Azevedo.

The Cyclones had many opportunities, but head coach and general manager Jason Fairman said they just needed to find a way to score in those situations.

Despite the score, things evened out as the game went on. Both teams knew it would be a tightly played game.

“They got prepared for us, just as we were preparing for them,” Fairman said.

Ohio University is a big rival of Cyclone Hockey, as they both play in the CSCHL. Last year, the teams met four times during the regular season, and both teams won two games, resulting in an even split.

The Cyclones aim to sharpen up a few things and get a win Saturday night, to even this weekend’s series.

“They’re good on the transition game,” Azevedo said. “We’re going to have to take away their lanes for passes. Be on them quick, not giving their defensemen time to make plays … take away their time and space and create some turnovers for us.”

The shot count was 32-28 in favor of Ohio, so senior goaltender Matt Goedeke had a busy night between the pipes.

Besides tightening up defensively, he knows what the Cyclones need to do to be more successful on Saturday night.

“Just the small areas, like each blue line,” Goedeke said. “If it’s at our blue line, we gotta get those pucks out. If it’s the offensive blue line, we just need to make sure the pucks get deep, that way we’re not facing odd-man rushes coming at us.”

The Cyclones will look to even the weekend’s series Saturday night against Ohio at 7:30 p.m. at Ames/ISU Ice Arena.