It had been 244 days between games, but few, if any, passed without the thoughts of the next matchup against Central Oklahoma on the minds of Cyclone Hockey players. 

Cyclone Hockey watched a Central Oklahoma empty-net goal crush its hopes and seal the end of the Cyclones’ season in the quarterfinals of the American Collegiate Hockey Association national tournament in March.

Half of a year has passed since last season ended, but from that day until tryouts this season, Central Oklahoma could be heard muttered often throughout the halls and locker rooms of the Ames/ISU Ice Arena.

The Cyclones played six preseason games and dominated, but weren’t tested. The first real test of the year was on the horizon — Central Oklahoma. 

The Cyclones traveled to the Arctic Edge Ice Arena in Oklahoma City, Okla., to seek revenge against the Bronchos, the preseason No. 1 team in the country. And that’s exactly what they got, sweeping Central Oklahoma and outscoring the Bronchos 9-5 during the weekend. 

“I’m extremely proud of the team,” co-captain Cory Sellers said. “[The Artic Edge Ice Arena] is a very tough place to play. They’re a good team, and we battled well.”

The Cyclones had their first taste of that revenge after Friday night’s 4-1 win and did what the team wanted to do: beat the defending national champions in their own arena.

But some work still needed to be completed in the second game if Cyclone Hockey wanted to put a cap on the weekend. 

Freshman Tony Uglem put the first shot through the net for the opening goal in the second game, and Cyclone Hockey was ahead 1-0 after the first period.

Jake Uglem, Jake Bruhn and Zack Johnson each added a goal in the second period, and the Cyclones once again took control of the game.

“We capitalized on our chances,” Sellers said. “We played five-on-five and got in their zone and scored on those opportunities.”

The Cyclones led 4-1 at the start of the third period, and Fairman said he was confident the Cyclones would finish it out like they had the night before.

Two Central Oklahoma goals later, and the Bronchos had the momentum with five minutes left in the game, down by just one goal. 

“[Letting Central Oklahoma back in the game] falls squarely on my shoulders,” Fairman said. “They had extra attackers. We tried cramming things into practice and barely spent time on that. We thought we could get away with it. That’s on me.”

In the end, the Bronchos added another goal with seven seconds left in the game, but it arrived after an empty-netter by Tony Uglem, and Cyclone Hockey finished the weekend with a sweep of the defending national champions.

“It’s awesome beating the team that knocked us out and won it all,” Sellers said. “It’s revenge for the returning guys.”

Cyclone Hockey continues to be strong offensively, out-scoring its opponents 44-9 through six games this season. Despite the high level of early season success, Sellers isn’t getting ahead of himself after the first three season series.

“We are a good team that is obviously capable of winning any night, but it is early,” Sellers said. “We’re not going to win the national championship right now. We still have a long way to go.”

Cyclone Hockey is currently in the midst of arguably the toughest back-to-back stretch of opponents all season. After beating Central Oklahoma to stay undefeated and improve to 6-0, the Cyclones will face off against undefeated No. 2 Ohio next weekend at the Ames/ISU Ice Arena.

“Guys are pleased. We made a statement and we did that nationally. Central Oklahoma is a good team that will be there in the end,” Fairman said. “Next weekend will be just as tough. Ohio will be a great test.”