Following a night when they scored two goals on 53 shots, the Cyclones took hold and won in commanding fashion by a score of 5-1 Feb. 14 at the Ames/ISU Ice Arena.

Illiana came out quick in the first period with a vengeance from the previous night’s loss. The team put the first shot on net but quickly lost steam as the Cyclones settled into their game. 

After the poor scoring performance the previous night, Cyclone Hockey head coach Jason Fairman stressed his team didn’t have the level of effort he was looking for. The Cyclones grabbed onto that message, putting up a goal on 12 shots in the first period, while limiting the Blackbirds to seven shots. 

The Cyclones made haste of that message going into the second, scoring 32 seconds into the period, courtesy of Scott Antonsen. Then, 36 seconds later, Alex Grupe tallied his second point after throwing a puck at the net and finding twine. 

Illiana struck back with Nathan Aloisio, the team’s leading scorer, putting the puck at the bottom of the crossbar and in the net on the power play to make the score 3-1.

The Cyclone power play, which went 2-for-25 in its last five games, even got a boost from the win after Trevor Lloyd sneaked one by the goaltender in the third period on the power play. 

The Cyclones tacked on one more goal in the final period to ensure the victory.

Cyclone Hockey now awaits the Central States Collegiate Hockey League tournament Feb. 20 in Chicago, Ill. Game time is pending and will not be set until the other CSCHL games have ended.