When the Michigan hockey team recently struggled to score for three straight games, the string of three straight losses that followed made perfect sense.

But even in back-to-back one-goal wins over Ohio State last weekend, the Wolverines inability to finish scoring chances kept them from putting the game on ice. The result: Two nail-biting, playoff-style victories that kept fans on the edge of their seats rather than enjoying the luxury of breathing easy.

Despite scoring only two goals on 32 shots -- 17 which came in the first period -- in a 2-1 win on Saturday, Michigan's increased offensive chances were a sign things were starting to come together. The next step comes in making more of the opportunities.

"Really, when you think about it, you play hockey to score goals," Michigan coach Red Berenson said Monday. "The other part of it is not to let the other team score goals. So (the question is) can you do well at both?"

Defensively, the No. 11-ranked Wolverines lead the CCHA with 48 goals against. Michigan's 73 goals scored ranks third and they've failed, at times, to capitalize on scoring chances. Against Ohio State, the Wolverines had several breakaways or 2-on-1 situations that, with a better finish, would have resulted in goals.

The silver lining: At least the chances were there.

"It's fun to be back to (a point) where guys are being a lot more creative around the net," senior captain Carl Hagelin said after Saturday's win. "We also got a lot more shots. Coach was on us (after Friday's win) when they out-shot us and, especially at home, that can't happen."

Instead of capping scoring chances with goals, offensive threats like Kevin Lynch haven't found ways to make the most of their chances. Lynch hasn't registered a point in 18 games while other secondary scorers like Ben Winnett and A.J. Treais have put themselves in perfect position to score only to miss the mark.

While Berenson doesn't get wrapped up in scoreless streaks or measuring a player's worth merely by his goal-scoring, he wants to see better finishes around the net.

"When you get your chances, you like be rewarded by helping the team with a goal because the goals aren't coming easy," Berenson said. "It's not always leading goal-scorers that are going to score - we need everyone to have a chance to score. So when you get your chance -- whether it's Lynch or Winnett or (Derek) DeBlois or whoever -- you have to bury the puck."

Missing the mark The Wolverines' power play also remains a mystery, failing to score on its last 22 chances. Michigan hasn't registered a goal with a man advantage in five straight games, dating back to a Chris Brown goal against Alaska on Jan. 22.

Between a tendency to pass too much and a lack of finishing when a pass leads to a scoring chance, the Wolverines can't seem to establish any rhythm with either of their power play units. Some of it has to do with line changes -- most notably Berenson's decision to pair Brown with Hagelin and Louie Caporusso on a unit that also includes defensemen Chad Langlais and Jon Merrill.

Against Ohio State, Michigan had isolated scoring chances on its seven power play chances, five of which came in Saturday night's 2-1 win. Caporusso broke a stick on one shot while David Wohlberg couldn't capitalize on a solid scoring look - making the power play a bit of a concern entering the stretch run.

"We're not finishing on the power play - there's no question," Berenson said. "I thought we had more control with good puck movement in the zone. But the next thing is getting that shot through or getting it on the net."

Bronco Busters? Michigan (19-9-4, 16-7-1 CCHA) faces a tough weekend for its regular-season home finale Friday and Saturday when Western Michigan comes to Yost. The No. 17-ranked Broncos are locked into the fourth-place spot in the CCHA standings but have only one loss in their last 15 games. Western has played to six ties in that stretch, gaining an extra point in four of them by winning the shoot-out.

This weekend's meeting marks the first time both teams have been ranked in the same national poll since 2002.

First-year coach Jeff Blashill has the Broncos playing at a top level heading into what is a key weekend for both the Broncos and Wolverines. A key component for Michigan: The fact the Wolverines are playing at home, where they have won nine straight games.

The Broncos (15-7-10, 9-6-9) are coming off a tough series with Miami, scoring two third-period goals to force overtime Friday before losing a 3-1 decision Saturday night. "They're the most dangerous team in the league as I see it," Berenson said. "No matter who they play, they have found ways to get points.

"They are a whole different animal this year. They're fast, they work hard, they're good with the puck and their stats are right there as good as any one."

This and that Michigan senior goalie Shawn Hunwick was named the CCHA goalie of the week after stopping 55 of the 58 shots he faced in the sweep of Ohio State. Hunwick is the league's second-leading goalie, giving up only 1.87 goals per game and registering a .936 save percentage. ...Limited tickets remain available for this weekend's home series. Both games begin at 7:35 p.m. and both will be televised. Friday night's series opener will be on Comcast (Channel 900) and Saturday night's game on Fox Sports Detroit. ... With its sweep of Ohio State, Michigan earned a first-round bye in the playoffs. The league's top five teams won't play the first weekend of the postseason before the CCHA tournament is re-seeded after the first round. The Wolverines need only one point to secure a home series in the second round.

Jeff Arnold covers Michigan hockey for AnnArbor.com and can be reached at (734) 623-2554 or by e-mail at jeffarnold@annarbor.com. Follow him on Twitter @jeffreyparnold.