At the start of the season, junior Kevin Porter might have felt like Happy Gilmore during hockey tryouts.

Whether it was shooting the puck wide, dinging the post on a breakaway or missing a rebound in front of the net, the Northville native might've wondered if the goals at Yost were regulation size.

Instead of taking pitches to the chest at the batting cage like Happy Gilmore, Porter spent half-an-hour before practice one day fine-tuning his shot.

And the extra effort has paid off.

The forward has scored six goals in four games over the last two weeks.

Porter tallied just one goal in the first four games of the season and has a much lower shooting percentage than last year (.077 compared with .177).

"I've been getting chances all along," Porter said. "They just happen to be going in."

In the last four games, Porter has found the back of the net with regularity and helped his teammates do the same (six goals and four assists).

He kicked off his recent scoring tirade with a two-goal performance against Northeastern, including a deflection of a Jack Johnson slap-shot in overtime.

Against Michigan State last Friday, he gave the Wolverines the early lead on a breakaway goal assisted by linemates David Rohlfs and T.J. Hensick. That same group put Michigan ahead early on the next night as well.

Scoring the team's first goal has become routine for Porter and the rest of the first line. That trio has contributed the Wolverines' first goal in seven of their eight games.

Porter's scoring outburst can be connected with the relationship he's developed with his linemates.

"You can really see great chemistry on that line," Michigan assistant coach Billy Powers said. "All three of them are playing really well together."

The line has played together since last year (Hensick and Porter have played together longer than that) and its ability to gel has ignited the Wolverine offensive attack. The trio represents three of Michigan's top four scorers.

"It's becoming second nature with the guys," Rohlfs said. "Their tendencies and my tendencies are starting to come together."

Last year, Porter scored at about a point per game clip (39 points in 38 games). This year, he almost has a two points per game (15 points in 8 games). Rohlfs says that the difference is the time Porter put in during the summer.

"You can tell (Porter and Hensick) guys really worked hard in the offseason, in the weight room and worrying about their game - trying to elevate it to the next level," Rohlfs said.

Porter also contributes off the ice. After captaining the United States at last year's World Junior Hockey Championships, the junior is taking more of a leadership role for the Wolverines this season.

"Being an upperclassman he is kind of leading the way, showing (the underclassmen) how to do it," alternate captain Jason Dest said.

Porter's output this year has impressed Powers, who knows that the real challenge is whether Porter can keep up this pace.

"We are going to continue to push him to have a great season and not a great start," Powers said.

Turning on the light
After struggling to find the net in the first four games, Kevin Porter has found his shot.

Goals
Games 1-4: 1
Games 5-8: 5