A 2-0 shutout last night was not the ideal outcome for the Cyclone Hockey team, but the Cyclones were able to put that right behind them, winning by a score of 4-3 to split the home series against the defending ACHA national champions, the University of Central Oklahoma Bronchos.

The Cyclones, pressing hard in the offensive zone early, were able to draw a penalty after Bronchos forward Kurtis Johnson was called for slashing. With momentum prior to the penalty, the Cyclones were able to capitalize on the power play with a goal from junior forward Jon Severson, ending the shutout streak for the Bronchos at 61:55.

The Cyclones found themselves in a bit of trouble in the middle of the period as the Bronchos started to press back with force, eventually making the Cyclones pay as Bronchos forward Bayley Marshall put a shot past goaltender Derek Moser in the high left shoulder to tie up the game 1-1.

The Cyclones had a late power play at the end of the period, but were not able to capitalize keeping the score tied at 1-1 as the game headed into intermission.

Coming into the second period, the Cyclones did not get many offensive zone looks as the Bronchos pressed. As soon as the Cyclones were able to bring it into the offensive zone, they were able to capitalize.

At the 3:35 mark, junior forward Aaron Azevedo found the net with an assist from junior forward Colton Kramer.

The Cyclones were put on the penalty kill after senior Kody Reuter was sent to the box for tripping. After a discoursed change on the kill for the Cyclones, three of the Bronchos forwards were all alone on the fast break resulting in a goal and once again evening up the score 2-2.

The Cyclones were able to get back on top quickly with a goal from Azevedo, his second of the period to put it high left shoulder past the Bronchos goaltender to make it 3-2.

“They were obviously key goals, we were looking to be opportunistic and those were some opportunistic goals,” said head coach Jason Fairman about Azevedo’s play during the game.

Goaltender Derek Moser stopped 11 of 12 shots during the period.

The Cyclones were able to add another goal to make the score 4-2 after sohpomore forward A.J Gullickson put it past goalie Alex Henry just inside the neutral zone, a shot from far out that went over the top of his glove.

The Bronchos got a power play almost midway through the third period when freshman defenseman Bronson McLeod went to the box for tripping, allowing the Bronchos to bring the score back within one, 4-3. The Cyclones were able to hold on for the rest of the period, fighting off the defending ACHA champions to split the series even and win 4-3.

“He makes those key saves every game,” Fairman said about his goaltender, Derek Moser. “It wasn’t any different than what he has done all year.”

Next weekend, the Cyclones head on the road for an away series against the University of Robert Morris-Illinois.