Ames, Iowa – Cyclone Hockey is pleased to announce that sophomore forward Scott Antonsen (Calgary, Alberta – Olds Grizzlys/AJHL) has been selected as the Cyclone Hockey Player of the Week after leading Iowa State to a big win over Central States Collegiate Hockey League rival Ohio.
Antonsen scored two goals in Iowa State’s 4-3 victory over 12th-ranked Ohio Saturday night and led the charge offensively after the team’s frustrating 1-0 shutout loss to the Bobcats Friday night. The second-year Cyclone scored Iowa State’s third goal of the game at 12:01 of the first period by skating the puck from the red line, across the blue line, and then firing a slap shot in stride that beat Ohio netminder Aaron Alkema low and later tallied what became the game-winner at 4:08 of the third period when he drove the net as an option for linemate Nate Percy (Rosemount, Minn. – Twin Cities Northern Lights/MnJHL) and finished an incredible cross-crease pass Percy got off from the opposite post.
The two-goal game was a first for Antonsen as a Cyclone, but it’s been part of growing pattern of offensive contribution from Iowa State’s fourth line and why the Cyclones can roll all forward units when other teams would be hesitant to do so.
“We played all four units all three periods in our victory against the Bobcats and there’s no question in my mind that that was the difference in the game,” said Cyclone Hockey Head Coach & General Manager Dr. Alan Murdoch. “They shortened their bench to about two lines for much second and third period and, while they have some great athletes on that team, our four lines beat their two lines.
“We have as much if not more depth than anyone in the nation, we have confidence in that depth, and that’s why we can wear other teams down by using our full line-up.”
Murdoch’s confidence in Antonsen has developed in large part because of the 5-foot-9, 160-pound forward’s willingness to add dimensions of physicality and fearlessness to his game after coming to Iowa State.
“One of the attributes we look for in the players on our Black Unit, what other teams might call their fourth line, is that they’ll play with reckless abandon, and, after coming in as a more offensive-minded player, Antonsen incorporated those traits into his game and he’s become a fearless forechecker who doesn’t care how big the opponent is and he’s one of our most tenacious backcheckers, and then he has the skill to make things happen with the puck when his line generates offensive chances,” Murdoch said of Antonsen.
One of the skills Antonsen has in his arsenal is his shot, as his slap-shot goal Saturday night was nothing new to the Cyclones.
“Scott’s had a few goals like his slap-shot goal on Saturday night,” noted Murdoch. “He has a deceptive shot, can get it off in stride well, and then has a knack for firing shots off his blade that are difficult for goalies to read.
“He’s made more than one goaltender look foolish with that slap shot.”
Antonsen and the Cyclones head east this weekend to take on Central States Collegiate Hockey League rival Indiana. Friday night’s game against the Hoosiers has a late start at 9:25 p.m. Eastern Time and Saturday’s matinee matchup is slated for a 2:30 p.m. Eastern Time puck drop, making it one of the quickest turnarounds of the 2013-14 season. Both games will be broadcast online live on America One. To watch, go to the Cyclone Hockey website at www.cyclonehockey.com and click on any America One logo.