BOWLING GREEN, Ohio – Using a pair of even-strength goals in the final two minutes of the second period, the Mavericks grounded the Falcons 4-1 Saturday night at Slater Family Ice Arena.
 
For the second straight evening, fifth-year senior Lucas Sowder managed a goal and an assist as the Mavericks improved to 6-4-3 on the road in 2023-24. MSU also killed six of seven penalties and outshot BGSU 31-29. Alex Tracy made 28 stops for his eighth win of the year.
 
"It was a tail of two nights," said Minnesota State head coach Luke Strand. "Game two was full of complete, character and team first plays. I was happy with the way the guys responded. They cared for one another in a game filled with battles."
 
Offensive opportunities began gradually for both teams even while minor penalties mounted. Sam Morton rang a wrister off the right post but the Mavericks failed to score on a 5-on-3 power play for 1:15.
 
Morton's power play persistence paid off late in the period when he followed his own shot and pounded home his CCHA leading 17^th goal of the season (second of the weekend) for a 1-0 edge. Sowder assisted (13).
 
MSU outshot BGSU 15-7 through 20 minutes and both teams were called for three minor penalties.
 
The Mavericks generated back-to-back scoring opportunities at the midway point of the second period and Luc Wilson's forehand at the top of the circle grazed the crossbar.
 
Later, Minnesota State scored 47 seconds apart for a 3-0 lead. Kaden Bohlsen started the flurry by shoveling in his seventh goal through traffic at 18:11. Adam Eisele (11) and Evan Murr (13) added helpers.
 
Just 48 seconds later, Wilson received a pass from Jordan Power and peeled around a defender in the corner to set up his pass to Sowder in the low slot. He one-timed it in at 18:58. The marker gave Sowder his fifth multi-point game of the year, second goal of the series, and eighth goal overall.
 
Seth Fyten's left-point shot put Bowling Green on the scoreboard 3-1. Fyten's power-play goal from Eric Parker and Josh Nodler came at 14:58.
 
The Mavericks solidified their victory shorthanded. Adam Eisele cleaned up the rebound on Brian Carrabes' initial shot on the rush with under five minutes remaining. Christian Stoevner stretched to make the first save but Eisele was next on the scene and lifted it over the Falcon netminder.
 
With the win, Minnesota State (12-9-3, 8-5-1 CCHA) improved to third place in the conference standings, four points shy of St. Thomas with 10 games left in the regular season. MSU fell 4-3 at Bowling Green Friday night.
 
Bowling Green (8-16-0, 6-8-1 CCHA) continues next week at Ferris State while the Mavericks return to Mankato to host Northern Michigan (8-12-2, 6-8-0) after the Wildcats split with St. Thomas.