When Dale Rominski knocked the puck past Alaska-Fairbanks goaltender Ian Perkins in the third period Thursday, it capped a consistent run of scoring for Michigan.
Over the past 10 periods, Michigan has scored 16 goals. And consistency has been the rule.
Each period has seen at least one Michigan goal, and Rominski gives the blueliners most of the credit.
"Everything comes off our defensive game, and when our defense is playing well, we're coming out with the puck a lot more," Rominski said. "That means our forwards are getting the puck (with better chances)."
Michigan coach Red Berenson remains cautiously optimistic, however. While he was impressed with the six-goal output in Thursday's Alaska game, he wasn't satisfied.
"Six goals would be fine - if we only let up one," he said.
'Special teams': While on the surface it appears Michigan is thriving in shorthanded situations, Berenson says that is not actually the case.
"We scored four goals (shorthanded), but we let up four (also)," he said. "They got three power-play goals on Thursday night, and that got them back in the game. You can't give the other team's power-play that confidence."
That confidence nearly spelled doom for Michigan.
With a comfortable four-goal lead early in the second period Thursday, Michigan gave up three unanswered goals (all shorthanded) before putting the game out of reach with a late score by Brendan Morrison.
Berenson outlined the situation bluntly.
"Our penalty-killing has to be better," he said.
A legg up: Center Mike Legg reached into his bag of tricks again this weekend by attempting another puck-lifting goal with his stick.
Last season's lacrosse-style goal in the NCAA regional final against Minnesota garnered Legg national attention. So he tried to pull off another stick trick against the Nanooks on Thursday.
"I was pretty lazy, but it was late in the game," he said. "(The puck) was moved to me back (behind the net) and nobody was pressuring me so I gave it a shot."
That shot did not even come into the goalie's view as the puck slid off Legg's stick, but the thought remains in the back of his mind.
"I don't think about (trying it) in the game," he said. "(But) if I'm in that position ...."
Every time Legg's in that position, Michigan fans will be on the edge of their seats.
Bowled over: While Michigan was battling Alaska, Bowling Green swept Lake Superior in Sault Ste. Marie this weekend.
Bowling Green's early-season output looks familiar to Berenson.
"We knew (Bowling Green) was going to be a good team," he said. "They're playing like the team we were supposed to be. They're scoring a lot of goals and not giving up much."
The Falcons have been denied an NCAA tournament bid the last two seasons and hope not to leave the decision in the committee's hands this year.