Michigan teammates Scooter Vaughan (3) and Greg Patern (2) congratulate David Wohlberg (25) for his goal in the third period of Michigan's 6-1 win over Western Michigan at Yost Ice Arena. (Angela J. Cesere | AnnArbor.com)

All season, Red Berenson has maintained his Michigan hockey team wasn't that far from turning the corner.

But he knew that following an roller-coaster first half when all the pieces rarely fit together on the same night, the Wolverines couldn't waste time in making their move. Turns out, facing struggling Western Michigan on home ice appeared to be just what the Wolverines needed.

Carl Hagelin scored a pair of third-period goals and Michigan used a momentum-swinging penalty killing effort midway through the second period to pave the way to a 6-1 victory Saturday night at Yost Ice Arena.

The sweep was Michigan's first since late October when the Wolverines took two straight in a home series against Lake Superior State. More importantly, though, it provided the boost Berenson was hoping to get entering a pivotal upcoming three-week stretch.

"I think a lot of good things came out of the weekend," Berenson said. "It's another step. We talk about one game at a time and one weekend at a time. There's no room for error at this time and we have to take advantage of this weekend."

"We only sing "The Victors" when we sweep a weekend and we had to think about the words. It's been a while."

Michigan (12-10, 7-7 CCHA) used an early surge of offense to establish itself early. Chad Langlais and Matt Rust each scored before 4 minutes had expired, providing Michigan with an early cushion.

The rest of the night, however, wouldn't be nearly as easy.

The Wolverines maintained a tight lead into the second period when their penalty-killing unit needed an extended effort to keep Western from creeping back.

Leading 3-1, Michigan was forced to stave off a lengthy 5-on-3 disadvantage after Lee Moffie was given a 5-minute major and game misconduct and Michigan was whistled for having too many skaters on the ice.

Despite the edge, the Broncos managed only one shot, which didn't come until after 3 1/2 minutes of the power-play chance had expired.

"Penalties can work in your favor - especially when you kill them and especially when you've got 7,000 people behind you screaming," Michigan captain Chris Summers said. "That was the definite turning point of the game, saying 'This is our game and you can go on 5-on-3 and we're going to shut you down."

Michigan nearly stretched its lead when the Wolverines almost scored short-handed following a flurry of activity in front of the Western net. Hagelin and Luke Glendening both had chances from point-blank range and nearly put the puck past Gill, who appeared to pull the puck back from across the goal line.

Game officials reviewed the play for more than five minutes, but could not find conclusive evidence the puck had crossed.

In the end, it didn't matter. Hagelin finished Western off midway through the third period, scoring a pair of goals before David Wohlberg extended Michigan's lead to 6-1 at the 15:58 mark. Goalie Bryan Hogan was solid in net, finishing with 25 saves and surrendering only a first-period goal.

Yet, as much Michigan gained with its two wins over Western, the bulk of the work remains head. The Wolverines still three straight upcoming home games against Alaska and Ferris State before finishing the month against rival Michigan State.

"It's importance for us to get some confidence from this weekend," said Hagelin, who also had two assists in the win. "We played well and we did have a good week of practice last week. It starts there and it's got to start from ourselves.

"We have to have a good week of practice and then build off of this."

Jeff Arnold covers Michigan hockey for AnnArbor.com. He can be reached at jeffarnold@annarbor.com or 734-623-2554. Follow him at Twitter @jeffreyparnold.