AMES — Coming off of a sweep against Iowa, the goal for Iowa State was to close out its final home series with two key wins against Minnesota Duluth.

Ultimately, that did not happen. The first game ended with a 2-1 loss, and in an opportunity to get redemption during game two, the Cyclones never got their chance as game two ended with a 3-2 final.

Game one

The Cyclones get on the board first

Throughout the first period, the Cyclones held a majority of puck possession. The team also continued to produce shots on goal. 

Iowa State found a way to light the lamp at 7:26. The goal was scored by forward Grace Armstrong and assisted by forward Mary Balcsik.

As the period continued, the energy of the Cyclones never diminished. Iowa State found itself on the penalty kill, but the defense stopped any chances for Minnesota Duluth. 

Most of the penalty kill was spent in the defensive zone and the Cyclones shut the Bulldogs out. 

While on the penalty kill, Iowa State found a way to clear the puck and put up another shot on goal. 

A star throughout the period was goalie Allison Moore. Any shot the Bulldogs attempted, Moore’s agility and vision were dialed into shutting out Minnesota Duluth throughout the first.

The period rounded out with a 1-0 lead for Iowa State.

Minnesota Duluth ties it up

The second period opened up with the Bulldogs trying to put themselves on the board. Ultimately, the Cyclones cleared the puck and regained possession.

Once Iowa State regained control of the puck, the shots on goal started flowing. 

Although the Cyclones scored no goals, the passion and energy for them ramped up. 

With all that energy, Iowa State started to get feisty and laid some brutal hits on Minnesota Duluth. 

Defenseman Lucy Boland came in clutch as she put herself in the line of fire as a Bulldog tried to go on a breakaway. The effort was successful but came at the cost of Boland and a Minnesota Duluth player colliding to take the net out of its post. 

As the clock ticked, the energy continued to be a key part of the Cyclones game. Iowa State ended up back on the penalty kill, but Minnesota Duluth found a way to score at 18:44.

Soon after Iowa State gained a power play, the period ended, and the power play carried over to the third period.

Late goal leads to an upset

Opening the third period with a power play, Iowa State looked to take back the lead. However, the chance never came. 

Throughout the beginning of the third, the Cyclones had plenty of possession time, but as time continued to tick away, the possession time became split between Iowa State and Minnesota Duluth.

The Cyclones got another power play, and the offense quickly became a shot-on-goal frenzy. But despite the many attempts, nothing came of the advantage.

Following the power play, Iowa State went on the penalty kill, had a tough defense, and found a way to clear the puck and put up even more shots on goal. 

The closer the game got to being over, the more shots flew from the Cyclones. No goals came from the many opportunities for Iowa State.

Ultimately, the Bulldogs lit the lamp at 17:07 to wrap the night up and left the Cyclones devastated on senior night. The final score was 2-1 Bulldogs.

Game two 

Each team grabs a goal in the first

Opening up game two of the weekend, Iowa State won the opening faceoff. This looked to be a good start for the Cyclones in the last home game of the season. 

Following the tough loss the night prior, the Cyclones were looking for a rebound.  

The period began in the defensive zone a little more than Iowa State wanted. Eventually, the Cyclones got the puck flowing into the offensive zone. 

The lamp was lit once Iowa State got into the game’s groove, as forward Ellie Volkers scored at  4:35 in the first period.

Following the goal, the puck possession balanced out between the Cyclones and the Bulldogs. A strength of Iowa State throughout the period was its ability to intercept the passes of Minnesota Duluth.

As the period played out, the Bulldogs controlled the possession, allowing them to tie the game up. Minnesota Duluth profited off of a penalty given to Iowa State. The power-play goal was scored at 14:34 in the period by a Bulldog.

The period ended with the puck possession being dominated by Minnesota Duluth in the defensive zone.

No goals in the second period

A consistent part of the Cyclones’ goal has been winning faceoffs. Iowa State opened the period with another opening faceoff win.

The Cyclones wasted no time in putting shots on goal. Ultimately, the goalie for the Bulldogs guarded the post with urgency, allowing no goals.

With a penalty given to Iowa State, the defense continued to pressure Minnesota Duluth.

The penalty kill was a success despite many shots on goal by the Bulldogs as no goals were allowed.

Soon after, the penalty kill script flipped and Iowa State went on the power play. The Cyclones put up plenty of shots but the Bulldogs goalie was ready for all the shots.

As the power play concluded, the remainder of the period was fought hard, ending in a tie.

Throughout the period and the weekend itself, the goalies on both ends of the ice were dialed in and on top of their game.

Minnesota Duluth scores two goals to upset Iowa State in the third 

Opening the period with a tie, the Cyclones were dialed in to come back. Winning the third and final opening faceoff set the team on the right track. The shots on goal for Iowa State started flowing early on. 

The major issue throughout the game was passing instead of taking the shot for the Cyclones. 

This later came to be the downfall of the team.

Both teams were fighting to take the lead. Ultimately, Minnesota Duluth stuck to that goal.

The Bulldogs found themselves putting up two goals in 30 seconds to take a 3-1 lead.

At 15:12 in the period, the Cyclones began to come back from being down two goals, as Volkers put in her second goal of the day.

The period ended with a power play for the Cyclones with 14 seconds left, and with the team pulling the goalie into a six-on-four matchup, nothing came of this advantage.

In the end, Iowa State fought hard to the end, but wasn’t enough as Minnesota Duluth took home another victory 3-2, and swept the weekend series against the Cyclones.

Following the tough losses, Iowa State has a lot to celebrate as the season comes to an end.

Senior Recognition 

Despite a rough way to end the season, the final home weekend of the season stands for more than a win or a loss.

Two seniors were recognized for their time with the club: forward Grace Marineau and defenseman Selena Pineda-Martinez.

These two show dedication and pure love for hockey through how they both play. The gratitude these two have for the team reflects their efforts.

“I couldn’t ask for better teammates and coaches,” Marineau said. “I’m just so thankful, considering these are my first four years playing hockey.”

Similarly, Pineda-Martinez focused on the community and character that this team has. It’s times like this where a sport makes a team a family.

“I love our team and couldn’t ask for a better team, especially this last year,” Pineda-Martinez said. “I think every day we show up and put our hearts out there.”