Michigan State University Athletics
MSU Hockey Powers Past Bowling Green
12/2/2000 12:00:00 AM | Men's Ice Hockey
For the second time in as many nights, Bowling Green used special-teams play to spring to an early lead. Tonight, the Falcons took advantage of a MSU power-play miscue as Dolyny couldn't hold the puck in the offensive zone during the Spartans' first man-advantage opportunity of the game. Bowling Green's Tyler Knight broke in on a two-on-one, got defenseman John-Michael Liles (Zionzville, Ind.) to commit early. Knight then fed teammate Mark Wires, who was streaking down the opposite wing, for his second goal of the season 1:54 into the game.
The same group that was on the ice for BGSU's shorthanded goal managed to tie the score late in the first period. Dolyny barely kept a Bowling Green clearing attempt in the offensive zone and eventually regained possession behind the Falcons' net. The MSU captain cycled the puck to Hall, who then drove to the net and rifled a backhand over the left shoulder of BGSU netminder Tyler Masters at 17:26.
"I'm pleased with the outcome, especially with the way the game started." said MSU head coach Ron Mason. "We played really well in the first period and outshot them 17-4."
Michigan State took the lead by scoring its first power-play goal of the weekend. Jeremy Jackson (Langley, B.C.), positioned just to Masters' right, captured a rebound off a Dolyny shot that appeared to hit Hall in front of the Bowling Green net. The puck caromed to Jackson, who then lifted a wrist shot high during an MSU five-on-three advantage for his seventh marker of the year at 7:29.
MSU's power-play prowess continued in the middle stanza as Bowling Green could not avoid the penalty box and again, the Spartans clicked with a two-man advantage. This time, Maloney blasted a slap shot past Masters at 14:56 off a Dolyny pass.
Coach Mason's penalty-killing unit took over in the latter stages of the game. MSU, which allowed two power-play tallies in last night's tie against Bowling Green, vanquished all six Falcon extra-man efforts tonight, including a pair of five-on-thee advantages in the third period. The MSU penalty kill was one component of a dominating defensive effort that allowed just XX BGSU shots on the night, including nine through the first two periods.
"The difference in the game was us killing off their five-on-three advantages and scoring on ours," said Mason.
Michigan State closes out the first half of the schedule with a home-and-home set with Ferris State Friday and Saturday. Friday's game is at Ewigleben Ice Arena in Big Rapids, while Saturday's contest takes place at Munn Ice Arena. Faceoff is set for 7:05 p.m. both nights.
