With the first away series complete, the Cyclones were able to split the series against the Illinois State Redbirds. With two games that both came down to overtime goals, Iowa State earned a Game 1 overtime defeat and a Game 2 overtime victory.

Game 1 

In the opening game of the Cyclones’ season, an electric game closed out with a 3-4 overtime final score. Despite the tough loss, Iowa State played a game full of drive and competitiveness. 

Penalties and a slow offensive start haunt Iowa in an overtime loss

Despite the third period showing out, the late success left the Cyclones no time to secure their victory.

During the first period, both Iowa State and Illinois State scored to even the period at 1-1.

Forward Dylan Hender lit the lamp at 19:06 in the first period. The goal was assisted by forward Ethan Pagel.

The only other production by the Cyclones in the first period was two penalties.

Despite a game with two periods left of opportunity, Iowa State’s race against time came up short. 

The second period stunted the Cyclones’ ability to pull ahead due to putting up three penalties and no goals scored.

In the final period of the game, the Cyclones put up one final penalty. 

The penalty kill for the team was stellar, as Illinois State went 0-for-6 on its power plays. Ultimately, the Cyclones did the same thing, as the team went 0-for-7 on their power plays.

During overtime, Illinois State completed the comeback to claim the game one victory over Iowa State.

Third-period standout instills hope for the Cyclones

During the third period, Iowa State found itself down by two; a comeback would soon arise.

At 2:13 in the third period, left wing John Kovarik lit the lamp; the goal was assisted by right wing Sam Eaton.

With the Redbirds still in the lead, the Cyclones would have to come up big to turn the game around.

While time was not on Iowa State’s side, a late goal tied the game to send it to overtime.

At 18:47 in the period, center Frank Kula scored, assisted by forward Christopher Kondiles.

With the score tied 3-3, overtime would determine the fate of the game.

Game 2

With a tough loss on the mind, a comeback was on the agenda for Iowa State. In a game of déjà vu, it all came down to a third-period comeback and an overtime winner by the captain.

Penalty trouble became an issue on both sides of the ice

Throughout the game, the Cyclones produced 12 penalties, with seven of them coming in the second period alone. 

The opening goal for Illinois State was a result of a power play, followed by another power-play goal in the second period. Iowa State began to create a deficit that would be hard to recover from.

As the Cyclones began dishing out penalties, so did the Redbirds, which allowed for a comeback for the team.

With Illinois State producing 11 penalties, Iowa State scored four of its goals on the power play.

Despite the penalties flying left and right, Kovarik lit the lamp for the first time with an even-strength goal at 16:16 in the first period. The goal was assisted by Hender and defenseman Gabe Myers.

The first power-play goal of the night for the Cyclones was another goal by Kovarik, assisted by defensemen Ben Pfannenstein and Hender at 5:49 in the second period.

With Iowa State down 2-5 in the second, the third period would once again be the deciding factor of the weekend.

Cyclones’ third-period revival allows for overtime victory

Going into the third period, a daunting reminder of the previous game haunted Iowa State. The Cyclones had 20 minutes to get back into the game.

At 7:05 in the third, Hender scored an even-strength goal, which was assisted by Pfannenstein.

With the final even-strength goal on the board, Iowa State secured victory with three more power-play goals.

A goalless period by the Redbirds allowed the Cyclones to swoop in and secure the victory.

The second goal of the period for Iowa State was scored at 13:44 by forward Trevor Slaght, assisted by Myers and Eaton.

With a final goal at 17:40 in the period, Pfannenstein sent this game to overtime. The goal was assisted by Kovarik and forward Michael Mulkerrin.

After completing a comeback, the captain, Mulkerrin, scored the go-ahead goal in overtime to claim the first victory of the season for the Cyclones.

After an electric series and a win for the team, Iowa State will return home to host Oklahoma for the first home series of the season. The games will take place Sept. 26 and 27 at the Ames Ice Arena.