To get a complete picture of the Illinois hockey club’s two-game series against Iowa State, you really only had to attend one.

In both games, the Illini trailed 2-0 entering the final period. And in both games, they came back to win – in nearly identical fashion.

Drew Heredia and Brad Hoelzer each netted game-winning overtime goals as the Illini swept the No. 11 Cyclones with a pair of 3-2 victories Friday and Saturday. The wins clinched the regular season Central States Collegiate Hockey League title, the Illini’s first since 2003.

At 27-0-0, Illinois’ record may be perfect, but some victories have been far from easy. Six of their wins have come in overtime, including two shootout victories.

This weekend was no exception.

“I mean, being down two goals going into the third period on the road is definitely not an easy thing to overcome, let alone twice in a row,” Heredia said.

Heredia attributed the Orange and Blue’s sluggish start to, among other things, a long bus ride made longer by the recent heavy snows.

“We’re sitting on the bus all day, and then we get to the rink – and it’s a small rink – but we really just came out a little flat,” Heredia said.

After goalless first periods, the Cyclones struck first scoring two second period goals in each game.

With their perfect season in the balance, however, the Illini took control in the third period.

Alex Park completed both comebacks with a game-tying goal to force overtime.

“When we got into overtime, we knew, you know, this was our chance,” Heredia said. “We had them on the run.”

On Friday, the Illini proved victorious in the clutch again, as the team captain knocked in a game-winner – while sprawled out on the ice.

“(Alex) Park just took a rocket shot, the goalie couldn’t handle it, it fell behind him. I got knocked down in the crease and just batted it in from the ice,” Heredia said.

Saturday’s series finale was played in the spacious Wells Fargo Arena, home to the AHL’s Iowa Stars.

It was certainly a change of pace for a club hockey team used to playing in more modest venues.

“We saw some pictures online, and we heard it was going to be really nice. They put us in some nice locker rooms, and they had announcers,” Heredia said.

“To play in a pro-style rink like that and have the big scoreboard and everyone there, it was pretty cool.”

Despite the change of scenery, the story remained almost exactly the same.

This time, Heredia carded an assist on Brad Hoelzer’s winning goal in overtime.

“Saturday, we deserved to win,” Heredia said.

“We controlled the whole game. When we battled back again, we knew we weren’t going to let them come back to win it.”

Conference play wraps up for the Illini next weekend in a two-game set against Robert Morris.

With most of the players hailing from the Chicago area, the Illini aren’t expecting a hostile environment.

“It’s going to be fun, it’s always kind of like a home game for us,” Heredia said.