DETROIT - The organizers of the College Hockey Showcase hoped for a successful weekend for all four teams competing in it.
And it was Michigan which left smiling the most.
Both Bill Muckalt and Brendan Morrison were named to the All-Showcase team. Morrison added the Showcase MVP honor to his long list of collegiate accolades. Jason Botterill recorded three goals to assume the career Showcase record.
And most important for the team, Michigan came away from the weekend with two victories.
The Showcase is not just another weekend series for any of the players - especially those who have been around since its inception.
"There's a lot of pride on the line this weekend," Botterill said. "Not only for the CCHA but for Michigan."
That pride translated into effective hockey for the Wolverines. In a 4-3 overtime victory Friday against Minnesota, Michigan showed its ability to win close games.
That wasn't necessary Saturday against Wisconsin.
Leading 4-1 after one period and 7-3 after two, Michigan was in an unfamiliar position.
"We're not used to being here and having a big lead," Michigan coach Red Berenson said. "When you look at most of the games we've been in, they've been close. We got into a few bad habits and let up a bit. Fortunately, we had a cushion."
The eight-goal total was Michigan's top goal output against a Division I opponent this season.
Three of those goals came off the stick of Muckalt, who credited his teammates.
"I'm glad (the goals) went in. I was just putting it on net and it was going in for me," he said. "Brendan (Morrison) and (Michigan forward Matt Herr) made some good passes, and (I was) going wide and driving to the net."
While Michigan was setting a Showcase record with 12 team goals in the two games, the future of the exhibition was being decided.
With the Showcase in its last year of a four-year contract, representatives from all four schools met and decided to continue the tournament.
While no details were ironed out on the specifics of sites or format, the consensus was that the event must go on.
Despite disappointing attendance, Berenson was pleased with the four-year run of the existing Showcase.
"We were a little disappointed in the crowds and the numbers, and that's something the administrators will have to talk about," he said.
"There was a lot of dialogue about the Showcase. The only thing I can tell you for sure is that there is a strong feeling of agreement in the spirit of this tournament. This will continue."
This was the first time in the four seasons that Michigan has won both of its games at the Showcase. That dominance is reflected in the record book.
Seniors Morrison and Botterill closed out their Showcase careers tied for the points record at 15, and Botterill is tops in the record book with seven goals. But when it comes to records, Botterill is more than willing to share the spotlight.
"It's a nice stat to have, and I'm trying to help out the team. Our team looks at these as big games."