DETROIT -

In the beginning of the year it was inexperience. And once Michigan's 11 freshmen gained some of that, it was dumb penalties, game misconducts or disqualifications. Then, once players had focused their aggression on the puck rather than opposing players, it was the abysmal power play. And when the Wolverines finally started scoring with the man advantage, it was time for the playoffs and, once more, the freshmen were lacking experience.

Michigan coach Red Berenson appropriately analyzed the season with the analogy of a "Dutch boy" and a dike during Thursday's CCHA Championship press conference. Every time he, his staff and captains closed off one hole in the wall, another burst open, and it seemed as though the once-mighty Wolverines were back at square one.

During Friday's game, that most recent hole - a lack of playoff experience - was evident. Michigan was overmatched for half of the CCHA semifinal game against a Michigan State team that went on to defeat Miami (OH) for the Mason Cup on Saturday night.

After scoring the first goal, the Wolverines imploded, allowing the Spartans to score four goals and earn the victory. Prior to the game, many of the Michigan freshmen were nervous for the most significant games of their young collegiate careers. Coming out of the tunnel onto an NHL rink - a place where many of them aspire to play in NHL uniforms just a few years down the road - it's understandable that the freshmen's nerves were on edge.

But Michigan State also had nine freshmen, including Tim Crowder, who scored two goals on Friday and Justin Abdelkader who knocked one in during Saturday's championship game. The Spartans - even on a night where their play was far from its best - simply outclassed the seemingly uninspired Wolverines on every level. And even though Michigan was pleased with its performance in the third period, the fact remains that it couldn't put the puck in the back of the net.

Entering the NCAA West Regional in Grand Forks, N.D. this weekend, the Wolverines' freshmen have just one game of meaningful playoff experience. Saturday's third place game had neither the atmosphere nor implications of a playoff game.

As the Wolverines prepare to head to North Dakota, Berenson's dike analogy begs two questions; Was that one game against the Spartans enough to plug that inexperience hole? And once that hole is plugged, which one will open next?

If Michigan has any hopes of advancing to the Regional Final, or, hockey gods willing, the Frozen Four, they first have to get through the hosts, North Dakota. If a half-empty Joe Louis Arena intimidated the Wolverines' freshmen with a 60-percent Michigan crowd, I can't imagine how nervous they will be when they skate out into the 11,000+ seat Ralph Englestad Arena - widely considered one of the toughest places to play in college hockey - to face off against the Fighting Sioux.

Michigan's preparation can't simply rely on the experienced seniors who have carried the team emotionally and physically this year. And even the juniors playing the games of their lives might not be enough. The Wolverines' chance for success comes down to those eleven freshmen and how well they can mentally prepare themselves for the toughest challenge that they've seen.

Beyond the pressing need for the freshman class to develop nerves of steel, Michigan must do its best to prevent new holes from opening and old holes from re-forming.

Captain Andrew Ebbett hit the nail on the head yesterday when he said this weekend isn't about motivational speeches or lip service. He said that success in the Tournament hinges on each player giving his absolute best individual effort. In fact, Ebbett went as far as saying that if each player doesn't invest his best effort on Friday night, they shouldn't be playing college hockey.

We've heard things like this from the team all year long, be it at Yost, in Fairbanks, Bowling Green or Omaha. When the going gets tough, the team promises to get going, but rarely, with the exception of Ebbett and alternate captain Brandon Kaleniecki, have they lived up to these bold statements.

Ebbett's statement seems like common sense, but after seeing the efforts of some Michigan forwards last Friday, I hope they hear Ebbett loud and clear before this Friday night.

There will be no room for nerves in Grand Forks. There will be little room for mistakes. And with North Dakota goaltender Jordan Parise and, most likely (barring a Holy Cross miracle), Minnesota netminder Jeff Frazee standing between the pipes on the road to the Frozen Four, there will be little room for error when shooting on net. Both Parise and Frazee stop more than 90 percent of the shots that come their way.

If the Wolverines have any hope of earning their way to Milwaukee, the freshmen must develop nerves of steel, offensive forwards like T.J.