What a difference a day makes.

While Michigan"s inexperience played a huge factor in its 3-1 loss to Western Michigan Friday night, Michigan"s top returning players set the tone Saturday night as the Wolverines defeated the Broncos 5-3 at Yost Ice Arena to salvage a split in the weekend series.

Michigan"s top returning defenseman, Mike Komisarek, set a personal career-high in goals and points in a game with two and three, respectively. Michigan"s alternate captains Mike Cammalleri and John Shouneyia each scored a key goal, while junior captain Jed Ortmeyer iced the game by scoring an empty net goal with 30 seconds remaining in the game that put the Wolverines (1-1-1 CCHA, 2-2-1 overall) up by two.

"I played Cammalleri and Ortmeyer head on against (Mike) Bishai and (Jeff) Campbell all night long and I thought they did a great job, especially on the four-on-four," Michigan coach Red Berenson said. "Our junior class is learning what it takes to become leaders. Cammalleri, Ortmeyer and Shouneyia need to be huge leaders on this team.

"It"s not something they should have to do until their senior year, but with a young team, we need them to step up for us. They were big factors tonight, and they need to do that every night."

Just like Friday night, the second period was the turning point of the game. This time, however, it turned in favor of Michigan.

Cammalleri began Michigan"s second period offensive onslaught by scoring a goal six minutes into the period to break the 1-1 tie. Although Western Michigan"s Anthony Battaglia scored to tie the game at two later in the period, goals by Komisarek and Shouneyia put the game out of reach for the Broncos.

Komisarek scored on a slapshot from the point just as a powerplay opportunity for Michigan had expired, and Shouneyia scored from the slot after receiving a pass from junior Mark Mink who was making his home-ice debut after returning from a hand injury.

"Cammalleri"s four-on-four goal and Komisarek"s goal at the end of the powerplay were huge because we were really stumbling at that point," Berenson said. "Komisarek"s got a rocket of a shot, it"s just a matter of him getting it through."

"My job out there is pretty simple," Komisarek said. "When I shoot, I just have to get it through and put it on net. The guys out front are taking all the punishment.

"I think we"re looking to develop chemistry on the powerplay right now. We"re working with different guys and different combinations, so it will take some time. But usually, the team that scores powerplay goals will win the game."

Although his team didn"t get the sweep, Western Michigan coach Jim Culhane was proud of the effort put forth by his Broncos (2-2-0, 2-2-0).

"I thought both team were evenly matched and they both played hard all weekend long," Culhane said. "We came within one shot of tying this thing before the empty netter made it 5-3. I"m very proud of the way my team played and I think they can hold their heads high."

Western Michigan was able to pull out the 3-1 victory Friday night thanks to outstanding goaltending from Mantua and three assists by Bishai.

Michigan will return to action this coming weekend as they host the Northern Michigan Wildcats.