Carl Hagelin's Michigan debut couldn't have been more perfect.

With the laid-back finesse of someone enjoying a Sunday afternoon public skate, Hagelin blew past a line of Western Ontario defenders.

The freshman curled effortlessly around the crease, finding a wide-open net for a wraparound goal. As the lamp lit, a flurry of hats floated down to the ice, acknowledging his third goal in the exhibition contest.

"I mean, if I was a defender, and I had Carl coming down on me, I'd back up," freshman Matt Rust said. "The kid's got incredible speed, he's got a good shot and he's shifty. He can make you look stupid in a lot of different ways."

But the high expectations Hagelin set with such awe-inspiring goals early in the season gave way to streaky play and missed chances as the year wore on.

Now, in the midst of a three-game goal streak, the longest of his collegiate career, Hagelin finally seems comfortable in maize and blue.

"Some of them were lucky," said Hagelin of his early season successes. "Now, it feels like I'm getting into it more and more. I'm more confident with the puck and that's when the points come."

That confidence couldn't have come at a better time. With centerman Rust out after sustaining a broken left fibula in practice last week, Hagelin was called upon to fill the role in the Wolverines' first postseason series, a CCHA quarterfinal matchup with Nebraska-Omaha.

Although the Sodertalje, Sweden native hadn't played center in almost four months, he showed a knack for the position, winning 54.3 percent of his faceoffs and thriving under the pressure of setting offenses and having more possession of the puck.

Hagelin also excelled inside the blueline, where Michigan coach Red Berenson wants his centermen to crash down and play an aggressive style of defense not normally expected from wings, Hagelin's usual position.

"He was all over the ice," Berenson said. "He was our best two-way player all weekend. . What he did show me is that he can play center."

But before he assumed the duties at center last week, Hagelin was often too hesitant with the puck, looking for outlet passes instead of taking open shots.

One of the fastest players on the Wolverines' roster, Hagelin could explode for breakaways but regularly slowed up to wait for teammates, missing out on scoring chances.

"At the beginning, I didn't hold on to the puck as much as I probably should have," Hagelin said. "I threw it away too much. I think the more you play, the more confident you get. That's how it is."

Just before the Nebraska-Omaha series, Michigan coach Red Berenson had one simple message for the Swede - shoot more.

And the result was two highlight-reel breakaway goals, one in each game.

On Friday night, in a play similar to his final goal against Western Ontario, Hagelin circled the net with the puck. But instead of completing the wraparound, he pulled up and then shot, completely fooling goalie Jerad Kaufmann for his first career playoff tally.

And with Rust's return to the lineup doubtful for this week, Hagelin will have another chance to wow the crowd from the center position.