As soon as the Cyclone Hockey schedule was released in August, next weekend’s matchup against defending national champion Central Oklahoma was circled as a game that would be used as a measuring stick for the team.

Some teams might look past a Missouri State team that is in its first season as a American Collegiate Hockey Association Division I team and already have one eye on the team that ended Cyclone Hockey’s season last year, Central Oklahoma.

The Cyclones came out on fire in the first period and eliminated any of that concern.

Adam Alcott scored the first goal 2:34 into the game, the first of six opening period goals for the Cyclones.

Cyclone Hockey went scoreless in the second period but it didn’t lack action with seven Cyclone penalties.

Cory Sellers got Cyclone Hockey back on the scoreboard in the third period. Jake Uglem added his second of the game in the final period to finish off the scoring for the Cyclones.

Goaltender Matt Goedeke was perfect, stopping all 25 shots in the net shutting out the Ice Bears 8-0 in a physical duel.

Cyclone Hockey will travel to face off against No. 1 Central Oklahoma next weekend in the most anticipated game of the season to date.