Michigan State hockey's exhibition opener looked anything but, as the No. 3 Spartans defeated No. 12 Boston College 5-2 Friday at Munn Ice Arena in a physical matchup that gave MSU an early test against one of the nation's top teams and a top-12 opponent.

MSU built a 2-0 lead in the first period, weathered a dominant stretch from the Eagles in the second, and pulled away in the third behind strong goaltending and a breakout performance from sophomore forward Eric Nilson.

Nilson finished with two goals and two assists, leading the Spartans offensively with seven shots on goal. 

“I don't think I took many shots at all (last season),” Nilson said. “I just changed my mind. If you want to score, you got to shoot as much as you want. So that's why I shot seven.”

In NCAA hockey, an exhibition game is a preseason or early-season matchup that does not count toward regular-season standings, conference records or NCAA Tournament selection.

Nilson entered his sophomore season with three goals and eight assists in 37 games as a freshman. Tonight, he led an MSU second line that accounted for all four of the Spartans' goals before freshman forward Mason West shot an empty-net goal.

Sophomore forward Anthony Romani scored twice, while freshman forward Ethan Belchetz added two assists as the three forwards provided MSU's offensive spark. Romani opened the scoring with 11:01 remaining in the first period.

Nilson carried the puck into the offensive zone before finding Belchetz. Belchetz fired a shot off Boston College sophomore goaltender Louka Cloutier's pads, creating a rebound that Romani collected and put into the open net. Nilson doubled the lead less than four minutes later.

Freshman defenseman Tommy Bleyl found Nilson alone in the right circle, where he fired a shot over Cloutier's shoulder and off the crossbar before it landed in the net.

While MSU generated enough offense to build a two-goal lead, freshman goaltender Joshua Ravensbergen was tested throughout the opening period.