Power play has ups and downs

In the MSU hockey team’s 3-2 victory over Bowling Green on Friday night, the Spartans had two 5-on-3’s for over a minute in a half in the third period.

But in both instances, the Spartans were unable to capitalize to add some much needed cushion to a one goal lead.

The Green and White were able to move the puck on the two-man advantage, but they didn’t put the puck past Bowling Green goaltender Jimmy Spratt.

In fact, the Falcons had better scoring opportunities while down two men than the Spartans did on the power play – they even sprung a 2-on-1.

But senior goaltender Jeff Lerg was expecting the Falcons to put on the pressure shorthanded.

“They are second in the country in shorthanded goals and they have seven on the year,” Lerg said. “They have some quick players and I knew they would be coming and trying for it.”

The Spartans did record a power play goal tonight – which was reassuring. But the team has to find a way to put the puck into the net with the two-man advantage.

The bright spot of the evening was the play of senior forward Matt Schepke.

Schepke was all over the ice – laying on the body, feeding his teammates passes or simply firing shots himself.

“He’s been our go-to guy offensively all year,” Lerg said. “Tonight he got us going with that power play goal. It wasn’t pretty but he’s got a quick shot. He does a good job of setting the tone for hitting. Early in the game the last few weekends he’s came out flying and laid the body early and I think that gets our team with the right mentality.”

Freshman forward Daultan Leveille had a beautiful goal in the third period to tie the game up. I have no idea how he was able to elevate the puck into the top shelf from such a close angle.

But maybe more importantly, Leveille was the Spartans best faceoff man on the night.

Faceoffs have been a struggle for Leveille all season, but he got his act together tonight and went 11-for-16 from the dot.

“Coach put a lot more pressure on me to get out there and get those wins,” Leveille said. “If he has confidence in you in leaving you on the ice in your end for the draws, you just want to try and pay him back by winning as many as you can.”

Overall this was an impressive win from the Spartans. Sure they were technically favored over last place Bowling Green, but the Spartans have been anything but consistent this season.

With the win the Spartans are creeping up the CCHA standings.

Dreams of home ice in the playoffs are still alive for the Green and White.