KALAMAZOO - Since the start of the season, Michigan coach Red Berenson has emphasized that sophomore Billy Sauer is Michigan's starting goalie, hands down, no questions asked.

When Sauer allowed five goals in one period in last weekend's 8-2 loss at No. 1 Minnesota, he stayed planted between the pipes.

When an inferior Western Michigan squad fired five pucks past Sauer Friday night, he never got sent to the bench.

But Saturday at Lawson Ice Arena, freshman Steve Jakiel got the starting nod over Sauer as the Wolverines took a second stab at defeating the Broncos.

"Too many goals against," Berenson said of his choice to bench Sauer. "Whether Billy was tired, or whether he wasn't sharp . when you give up 13 goals in two games, you've got to look for ways to improve. Jakiel hasn't played. We had to find out if he can help this team."

After the loss at Minnesota, Berenson said he kept Sauer in for the entire game because he didn't want to send Jakiel out to the sharks for his first real playing time. The Santa Clarita, Calif., native's only experience this season had been a third period against cupcake opponent Alabama-Huntsville, when he faced just eight shots.

Now the rookie netminder has a full game under his belt.

It wasn't a perfect first outing; Five of the 29 shots the Broncos fired his way made it past him. But Jakiel still worked his way to a road win that the Wolverines desperately needed after two straight losses.

His most spectacular save of the night came in the third period with Michigan clinging to a 5-4 lead. Western Michigan's Brian Bicek threatened in the slot, swooping from right to left. But Jakiel stuck his right skate out and denied Bicek's attempt.

Thirteen seconds after Jakiel stoned Bicek on the doorstep in a potentially game-tying play, Michigan got the insurance goal it needed from sophomore Andrew Cogliano's one-timer from the blue line.

"He made some huge saves for us in the last seven minutes," alternate captain T.J. Hensick said. "You're going to have some butterflies putting on the uniform for the first time, playing on the road. You got to give your hats off to him. He made some big saves when he needed to."

The raucous crowd at Lawson didn't make things any easier for Jakiel in his first career start. Fans yelled at ear-splitting levels every chance they could, and when the Broncos put any form of offensive pressure on, the "Lawson Lunatics" lived up to their name.

But with two years of experience in the United States Hockey League backing him up, Jakiel wasn't fazed. When asked about the pressures of having his first career start in a hostile road environment, the goaltender laughed it off.

"It was all right," Jakiel said. "I've played juniors for a couple of years and there have been some rowdy barns. So I was kind of used to it. It was a good experience. I like playing on the road like this."

With Berenson's steadfast belief in Sauer as his starting goaltender, it's doubtful that Jakiel will get to start again soon, especially with No. 5 Notre Dame waiting in the wings.

But at least Berenson has an option now if Sauer looks less than invincible in the crease.