DETROIT - If the way a hockey team finishes games is critical to postseason success, it's hard to say where No. 9 Michigan (21-10-1, 16-7-1 CCHA) is headed.

After surrendering two late goals in a 3-2 upset by last place Bowling Green (6-24-2, 4-19-1 CCHA) on the road Friday, it seemed that a run at the Mason Cup was far-fetched for the Wolverines. But on Saturday night, visions of playoff victories returned as the team battled back from a three-goal deficit to earn a 3-3 tie against No. 6 Michigan State (18-8-3, 14-6-3 CCHA) at Joe Louis Arena.

Having amassed a three-goal lead, the Spartans reinstated the same defense that shut down Michigan in the GLI Championship game on Dec. 30.

But this time, the Wolverines made up their mind that the outcome would be different.

"I knew that players like me had to step it up," sophomore Andrew Cogliano said. "We needed to do a good job in the third period and to come out and play for the team, and play for the win tonight. I think it put a lot of heart into me and made me do what I did out there. I wanted to play for the team as much as possible, and I did a good job."

After controlling the opening moments of the game, Michigan quickly fell apart once the Spartans' sophomore star Justin Abdelkader controversially drew first blood.

Just prior to the goal, Wolverine goaltender Billy Sauer skated behind the net to wrap the puck around the end boards. As he skated back towards the net, Abdelkader cut between Sauer and the goal crease, knocking the goaltender off balance - but not drawing a whistle for goaltender interference.

Before Sauer could completely regain his composure, The puck found its way to Abdelkader all alone for an easy marker and Michigan State took control of the game.

"Michigan carried the play for the first 10 minutes and just didn't capitalize," Michigan coach Red Berenson said. "In the last 10 minutes (of the first period), I thought we gave them some momentum."

After sophomore Jack Johnson was thwarted on a breakaway attempt, Michigan State's Bryan Lerg extended the Spartan lead to two just one minute after the first goal.

The tide seemed ready to turn early in the second after a successful Michigan penalty kill.

But on a Wolverine power play, Cogliano was beat to a Spartan clearing attempt by Abdelkader, who skated in all alone and slotted a breakaway goal past Sauer.

Despite trailing by three goals, Michigan finally began finding room to move the puck methodically through the defensive and neutral zone, creating easy opportunities for rebounds.

The Wolverines' patience paid off when Cogliano's linemate Chris Summers - who was playing just his second game as a forward all season - knocked in a rebound off defenseman Steve Kampfer's shot to put his team on the board for the first time.

Michigan continued to exploit Michigan State's trap in the early stages of the third period, when Cogliano and Summers hooked up for the Wolverines' second goal. Cogliano worked the puck around several Spartans, slotting a shot in towards Michigan State goaltender Jeff Lerg. Once again, Summers was on the doorstep and lofted the puck over the prone goaltender.

As the clock wound down, Summers and Cogliano connected a third time. After a faceoff to Jeff Lerg's right, Summers fought for the puck just behind the goal line, and seeing Cogliano, slipped a pass through to his linemate which was redirected for the tying goal.

"Their centerman did all he could to win the draw, but I actually won it," Cogliano said. "He dove out to hit it back in the zone and he was covering me. So Summers just took it around the corner and I went to the net."

Both teams failed to score in the closing minutes of regulation, sending the game into overtime, where Michigan once again seized control. The Wolverines generated several chances, including a back door shot by junior Kevin Porter, who uncharacteristically lifted the puck over the net.

Although Michigan didn't win the game, Berenson happy to take one point from the Spartans, especially having out shot their rivals 57-22.

"We played in their zone," Berenson said. "They were hanging back, but they had to defend. In a way, they should feel lucky they didn't lose the game. Porter had a back door open net, which he doesn't miss, but he missed that one."

The strong finish was in stark contrast to a slow one on Friday night. After Michigan opened up a 2-1 lead through two periods at Bowling Green, the Wolverines surrendered two goals in the last seven minutes of the game, including the game-winner with 35 seconds left.

Saturday's game however, erased any doubts about the team's abilities in captain Matt Hunwick's mind.

"I think it shows some character," Hunwick said. "But at the same time, we want to win. It's tough when you put yourself down two goals, but I thought we battled back pretty strong in the second half of the game.