The list of Red Berenson's reasons for concern Friday night certainly wasn't a short one.

Too many penalties. Too many pucks bouncing around in front of the Michigan net requiring attention. Not enough of a sense of urgency in a game that lent itself to providing a much-needed momentum swing heading into the second half of the season.

Yet, for all that Berenson saw that he didn't like, the final result - a 4-1 victory over No. 18 Notre Dame at Yost Ice Arena - may have been just what the Wolverines needed to begin and turn things around after enduring its roughest starting stretch in recent memory.

"This year, we don't have much to use for confidence boosts," said junior Louie Caporusso, who registered a goal and two assists in the victory. "Anything we can get, we've got to use to the maximum.

"But at the same time, we have to regroup and realize it could have gone the other way today."

That much was for certain in what was Michigan's first Central Collegiate Hockey Association win at home this season. The Wolverines have now won five of their last six games.

Michigan (9-8, 5-6 CCHA) never trailed, but faced a Notre Dame team that was forced to play three forwards on defense, limiting its scoring punch.

The Wolverines took advantage early, building a 2-0 lead on goals by Carl Hagelin and Brian Lebler. But after Chad Langlais was sent to the penalty box with a 10-minute misconduct at the 8:11 mark of the second period, the Irish (7-8-4, 4-5-4 CCHA) scratched their way back into the game.

Riley Sheahan's goal at 7:27 drew Notre Dame to within 2-1 as the Irish took advantage of the power-play chance. But just when it appeared the Irish were making their move, freshman defenseman Lee Moffie - Langlais' replacement on the left side of the Wolverines' power play - scored to extend Michigan's lead back to two goals.

"That was a huge goal," Berenson said.

Caporusso extended Michigan's lead to 4-1 early in the third period, firing a shot to the upper corner of the net just 62 seconds in. From there, Michigan's defense kept the pressure off of goalie Bryan Hogan, who finished the night with 23 saves.

But given the eight power-play chances Michigan was forced to fend off, Hogan's play prove to be big, especially given the defensive role Notre Dame's forwards were forced to take on.

"I think we played solid in front of (Hogan), but he battled all night and he gave us a chance to win," senior defenseman Steve Kampfer said. "That's what we need every night from him."

The home-and-home series wraps up Sunday in South Bend, when Berenson knows Notre Dame will deliver a stronger effort than it did Friday night. Now with his team over the .500 mark, Berenson will look for a smarter effort from his team, understanding the Wolverines can't afford to be as lucky as they were at times in Friday's win.

"We have to play better than we did tonight," Berenson said. "This was a huge game for us and I just want our team to be honest. We got lucky in the game and our pucks went in and on a normal night, their goalie wouldn't have given up those goals...you have to get a little bit of confidence (from the win), but know that we'll have a tougher game on Sunday."

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.