The Cyclone Hockey program faces a problem that many teams around the nation face: figuring out how to remain competitive after graduating nine seniors—almost a third of its current roster.

Luckily for the Cyclones, the seniors know exactly what their jobs are in their farewell season.

“This is our last chance, so we want to make a good run at nationals and do something special here,” said Mike Dopko senior defenseman and captain. “We also have to lead the younger guys in the right direction. All we can really do is to play our hardest and lead by example.”

So far this season the team hasn’t been able to finish games, losing five of its six American Collegiate Hockey Association games by one goal. The seniors on the team have been through their ups and downs but now need to pass on that experience to the young players on the team through this tough time.

“We’ve been through our slumps – we had one last year and the year before that,” said Nate Percy senior forward and assistant captain. “Our leadership should come through and help us get out of this. Since we’ve been around a while, it’s kind of on our shoulders to right the ship.”

The shoulders of the seniors have been productive to this point in the season, especially on the defensive end.

Senior goaltender Matt Cooper has allowed 1.86 goals per game and owns a .987 save percentage through the first eight games. Senior defenseman Antti Helanto has been one of the team’s MVPs, according to coach Jason Fairman. Helanto and Dopko are the senior core of a defense that has been solid, allowing just under two goals a game.

The seniors on offense will most likely have to improve to turn around the Cyclones’ slow offensive start.

Percy leads that pack, as he is second on the team with 11 points after recently breaking a four-game pointless streak. Senior J.P. Kascsak has found his scoring touch lately, netting three goals Oct. 10 against Indiana Tech to raise his goal total to five.

Despite their successes, the seniors still have a lot of pressure to lead the team in the right direction.

“All of the seniors need to teach the younger guys to win games and we haven’t been doing a very good job of that lately,” Cooper said. “Good teams find a way to win, and good seniors find a way to show the freshman how to win. That’s the kind of pressure we have on us.”

While the seniors move on to other parts of life after this season, Cooper offered some advice for the young guys.

“It all goes so fast; it’s my sixth year in college but it feels like my first,” Cooper said. “[The younger players] really have to take every minute and take it like it’s their last.”