It’s a brand new season for Cyclone Hockey.

That statement would show if you look at the team’s schedule; rather, it will show you a mediocre 12-8-3 record. But it would ring true if you asked any player in the locker room after completing a two-game sweep of the No. 19 Colorado State Rams, after winning 3-1 Nov. 22.

“We said that we are starting a new season, and so far our team is 2-0,” said forward J.P. Kascsak about the team’s new-found mentality. “It’s a new mentality, and it keeps things fresh. And it’s really a great way to stay positive, especially with the team changing and stuff, but we wanted to have our fresh start now.”

The fresh start was much needed. After starting the season 2-4-2 in American College Hockey Association play, the team looked to have a turnaround after sweeping the then-No. 13 Michigan-Dearborn Wolverines. The Cyclones followed the sweep up with an overtime win at the University of Ohio.

But after three straight wins, the team fell back to its losing ways, dropping its next five conference games.

Coming back to home ice this weekend after five games on the road, the Cyclones ended the five-game skid with two wins over a Colorado State team that was coming off a win over the then-No. 1 Central Oklahoma Broncos.

“It has been a big morale boost; you can hear the buzzing in the locker room,” said forward Alex Stephens, referencing the loud music coming from the Cyclones locker room after their Nov. 22 win. “It is nice to win a few before break. It’s a great vibe that we can hopefully bring to our next matchup two weeks from now.”

The wins weren’t the easiest to come by. After scoring three quick goals in the first period Nov. 21, in the first game of the two-game series, the Cyclones conceded two goals of their own and let the momentum shift in the Rams’ favor. The Cyclones then ended any comeback wishes by scoring a goal in each remaining period to win 5-2.

The close game carried over to the second game of the series. The Cyclones struck first late in the first period. The Rams came back late in the second period with a goal to knot the score at one. The Cyclones pulled away late in the third period with two goals to grab a 3-1 victory.

Cyclone Hockey coach Jason Fairman said while close games aren’t his favorite, winning them now might be beneficial later on in the season.

“I’m actually getting tired of every game being close going into the third period,” Fairman said after the Nov. 22 win. “It doesn’t matter who we play whether it be Arizona State or team 59 in the [conference]. I have to believe that the close games will pay off later in the year. But it was nice to get these close games.”

He also voiced his pleasure with the way his team had been performing.

“We are doing a lot of things well right now,” Fairman said. “Our confidence hasn’t waned, we have been just frustrated. Now we have to see if we can do well into these next two weekends.”

Whatever the case may be for the rest of the season, the team knows that these wins were a good start to turning the season around.

“When you are working for results like winning, it’s good to know that all of our hard work is showing in the win column,” Kascsak said. “It’s really good to get back on track, and hopefully we can keep it going for weekends to come.”