Cyclone Hockey only has two American Collegiate Hockey Association opponents left before its league tournament, but those two weekends may be the toughest on the year.

After sweeping their in-state rivals, the Iowa Hawkeyes, the No. 10 Cyclones (17-11-5) now take on the Central Oklahoma Bronchos, followed by the Robert Morris Eagles the following weekend.

The Bronchos (24-4-1) are currently ranked No. 2 but were ranked No. 1 for over a month after knocking off the top-ranked Arizona State Sun Devils in October.

But there is more at stake than just a top-10 matchup.

With the Cyclones currently on the fringe of a top-12 spot in the ACHA rankings, they only have a few weekends to solidify that position and avoid a play-in game that could be detrimental to their playoff run.

“The play-in game cost us last year because Oklahoma was sitting there waiting for us after we had just played the night before,” said Cyclone Hockey head coach Jason Fairman, referring back to the 3-1 loss to Oklahoma in the ACHA National Tournament quarterfinals a season ago. “We aren’t going to get in the top-four no matter how we finish, but these next two weekends are very important.”

The Bronchos are the highest-ranked team the Cyclones have faced this year, and for good reason.

They have five players with at least 30 points and 15 goals. The Cyclones have none. The Bronchos have seven players with over 15 assists. The Cyclones have one.

Part of the reason for the overwhelming statistics is that Central Oklahoma enjoys playing a slow-paced game and boasts a knack for controlling puck possession. That was certainly evident when the team grabbed a low-scoring 1-0 win over the Cyclones in October.

To turn the tables this time, the Cyclones have some alterations to make to their strategy.

“We have to try and push the pace,” said forward Scott Antonsen. “They play a slow-style game that lulls us to a sleep it feels like. If we impose our will and keep our feet moving to make them play our game, we will be successful.”

Another thing that will be key is to make sure the high-powered Bronchos’ offense isn’t allowed to get pucks to the front of the net. The Cyclones said they have a few approaches in mind.

“We just need to contain them, keep them to the outside,” said defenseman Cory Sellers. “If we can keep shots to the perimeter, we can keep the pressure off our goalie. We also need to get sticks and bodies in front to stop shots.”

The Cyclones do have one advantage over the Bronchos — goaltending. With Matt Cooper being sent off to the World University Games in Spain, the Cyclones will put Scott Ismond in net for the next three weekends.

Not that it’s much of a downgrade, if at all. Ismond has been lights out over the season, owning a .958 save percentage and allowing .93 goals a game. He has only played in 10 games, but has made the most of those chances, compiling a 6-1 record with three shutouts.

The World University Games have also taken J.P. Kascsak from the Cyclones. His goal-scoring prowess will leave a hole in the lineup, but Fairman said he is confident that players who have been waiting for the chance to take a role will step up to the challenge.

The Cyclones will test themselves against the Bronchos at 7:30 p.m. on Jan. 30 at the Ames/ISU Ice Arena.