Cyclone Hockey dropped a heart-breaker in overtime that sent them home from the Central States Collegiate Hockey Tournament. 

The Cyclones had a one-goal lead in the third period but couldn’t hold it, losing 2-1 at the University of Illinois Ice Arena on Feb. 20.

Both teams started out with a clear message that they wouldn’t let the other skate unhindered. The referees dished out three penalties in the first 10 minutes and had the option to give out few more. 

The goaltenders on both ends of the ice, Illini’s Joe Olen and the Cyclones’ Matt Cooper, had just returned from Spain and the World University Games. The world-class goaltenders, combined with the tough-nosed defense of both teams, were prevalent in the first period, contributing to a scoreless tie.

Just eight seconds into the second period, Jake Uglem was called for a cross check. Illinois’ power play started out slow but finished strong by putting a barrage on net in the last 15 seconds of the penalty. Matt Cooper was up to the challenge and showed why he was the USA goaltender in turning away every shot. 

The Cyclones were the ones to break the stalemate. Antti Helanto furthered his team-leading 27 points after putting a slap shot on net, creating a rebound that Alex Grupe sent home. 

Matt Cooper kept his dominance in the game and stymied Illinois, stopping all nine of the Illini shots in the period. 

Cooper finally cracked just under three minutes into the third period after John Olen dished a pass to Eric Saulters, who redirected it between the legs of Cooper. That goal would be the one to send the game into overtime, tied at one. 

Illinois didn’t allow the suspense of overtime to extend, scoring just under three minutes into the period. 

With the loss, Cyclone Hockey goes home from the CSCHL tournament. It will return to action at 7:30 p.m. Feb. 27 against Midland.