An author could not have written a better ending. With just under two minutes to play in the third period in Saturday's game against Wisconsin, Michigan looked poised to score a game-winning goal and earn an important come-from-behind victory over the second-ranked Badgers. Leading scorer and alternate captain T.J. Hensick controlled the puck in the offensive zone, when the puck hit off Hensick's own skate.

And then something all too familiar happened. Wisconsin forward Robbie Earl collected the puck and sent it up ice to streaking forward Adam Burish who split Wolverine defensemen Matt Hunwick and Jack Johnson and fired the game-winning goal past helpless Michigan goalie Noah Ruden.

Mistakes by the defense proved to be a big reason why the Wolverines came out of the weekend winless at the College Hockey Showcase in Ann Arbor this past weekend.

"We gave up more outnumbered rushes from our own doing, rather than the other team making a good play," Michigan coach Red Berenson said.

On numerous occasions, Michigan goalies - freshman Billy Sauer on Friday and Ruden on Saturday - were left hung out to dry by their teammates. Both Minnesota and Wisconsin were able to capitalize on Michigan defensemen moving too far up when the puck was in the Wolverines' possession.

Against the Gophers, with Michigan trailing 3-1, Wolverine defenseman Mark Mitera got caught all alone on a 2-on-1 break. With Michigan forward Andrew Ebbett trailing the play, Minnesota freshman Phil Kessel wound up for a ferocious slap shot that flew by the outstretched glove of Sauer.

Against Wisconsin, Johnson and Hunwick were not the only culprits of making mental errors. With Michigan behind 1-0 in the second period, junior defenseman David Rohlfs tried to make a cross-ice, backhanded pass to Mitera. But Rohlfs did not notice Robbie Earl eyeing the play the entire way. Earl intercepted the pass and skated in freely on Ruden, who was unable to stop the breakaway.

"When you get in a close game, and you take a chance and end up on the wrong side of the puck, and they get an outnumbered rush and score a goal to win the game - that's what we're dealing with right now," Berenson said.

This weekend was not the first time Michigan defenders had trouble getting back after a change in possession. In the Wolverines' first game against Notre Dame, Ruden was once again victimized by poor play from his defensemen. He gave up five goals to a Fighting Irish team not known for its offensive prowess.

Oftentimes this season when the defense has been caught out of position allowing an odd man rush, they took a penalty to negate a possible shot. With Michigan allowing just seven goals in its first 11 games, the defensemen's mistakes were not so glaring.

But when Minnesota victimized Michigan for five power play goals, the issue came to the forefront.

Johnson and junior defenseman Jason Dest lead the team in penalty minutes with 40 and 29 respectively.