BOWLING GREEN, Ohio - Great teams take advantage of opportunities.
The top-ranked Spartans did just that Saturday night, netting two goals with 5-on-3 power play advantages as MSU (11-1-2 overall, 8-1-2 CCHA) disposed of Bowling Green 3-1 at BGSU Ice Arena.
The Falcons failed on both of their 5-on-3 chances.
Freshman center Jeremy Jackson, who sat out of Friday's 3-3 tie with a groin injury, scored the game-winner 7:29 into the second period as MSU extended its unbeaten streak to 12 (10-0-2).
The Spartans earned three points from their first CCHA road series in over a month.
For the second straight night, Bowling Green (2-8-4, 2-6-4) jumped out to an early lead, scoring a short-handed goal 1:54 into the game.
With Falcon defenseman Grady Moore in the penalty box, MSU senior right wing Rustyn Dolyny couldn't keep the puck in the Bowling Green zone, leading to a 2-on-1 rush for the Falcons.
Bowling Green left wing Tyler Knight fed center Mark Wires with a perfect pass and Wires lifted it over MSU sophomore goaltender Ryan Miller for the goal.
The Spartans struck back with 2:34 left in the opening frame as junior right wing Adam Hall made a strong backhand move and snuck the puck over Falcon goaltender Tyler Masters.
The goal was Hall's team-leading ninth of the year.
Despite a 17-4 shots advantage for MSU, the first period ended in a 1-1 deadlock.
Entering the weekend, MSU had scored in the first three minutes in four of their previous five games, but Bowling Green made the Spartans play from behind both nights by scoring three goals on a mere 11 first period shots.
Jackson gave the Spartans a 2-1 lead by banging home a loose puck to Masters' right while MSU held a two-man advantage. The goal was Jackson's seventh of the year.
Sophomore left wing Brian Maloney doubled MSU's lead during a 5-on-3 power play 14:56 into the second frame.
Maloney took a pass from Dolyny and rifled a one-timer past Masters for his seventh goal of the season.
Dolyny posted three assists in the game.
Miller and MSU's league-leading defense then stifled the Falcons' league-worst offense after the initial goal. The Spartan goalie made 18 saves for the second straight night.
MSU dominated puck control for most of the game, outshooting the Falcons 31-19.
The Spartans next play in a home and home series next weekend against Ferris State. The first game is Friday night in Big Rapids and the second is Saturday at Munn Ice Arena.
