There’s no sugarcoating Michigan hockey's near-disastrous start.

Two straight sweeps at the hands of two bitter rivals. A series split two weeks ago against perennial basement-dweller Bowling Green. And the worst start in 23 years.

“It doesn’t sit well,” junior Louie Caporusso said after the win against Bowling Green. “It doesn’t feel good to belong to a team that is not playing Michigan hockey-caliber.”

And then, the nation began to notice.

Despite salvaging a win against the Falcons, the Wolverines were out of the top 25 for the first time in 12 years — and that’s back when the polls only counted the top 10 teams.

Then, with Michigan already limping, sophomore forward Robbie Czarnik quit the team to sign with the Ontario Hockey League’s Plymouth Whalers. And on the same day that highly touted goaltending recruit Jack Campbell decommited.

Last week was the lowest of lows for the Wolverines, who hadn’t been below .500 through 12 games since the 1986-87 season.

But sweeping this weekend's College Hockey Showcase has righted the path for now. The wins against Minnesota and Wisconsin show that in the hardest of times, Michigan coach Red Berenson's teams have always proven his ability to stay the course. And that's a testament to his ability as one of the best coaches in the game.

In the 1998-99 season — a year removed from their second national championship in three seasons — the Wolverines went on an eight-game conference winless streak, just three weeks before the CCHA Tournament began.

With high hopes and even higher national expectations, Michigan’s college hockey dynasty looked threatened after doubling their season loss total in just eight games. But the Wolverines dominated the CCHA Tournament, scoring 20 goals in four games to get the conference’s automatic NCAA Tournament bid.

And last season, after losing captain and standout defenseman Mark Mitera to injury, the Wolverines started 9-7. They knew they had to rebound. So Michigan responded with three straight weekend sweeps.

Before the College Hockey Showcase last season, captain Chris Summers knew how important the matchup was for the Wolverines to turn around after a slow start.

“It’s going to be a huge test for us,” Summers said in Nov. 2008. “I think we’re going to define ourselves as a team this weekend.”

The victory against then-No. 1 Minnesota sparked Michigan's second-half run, finally giving them a winning mentality.

Although the competition might not have been as highly ranked as it was in past seasons, the Wolverines’ sweep of the College Hockey Showcase should do exactly what Summers said it would do one year ago, define this team.

“It’s a good turning point for our team, but by no means are we fully there yet,” Summers said.

Berenson knew this team’s confidence had hit rock bottom. And with his astounding track record, the coach has shown again that he knows how to turn a team around.

“It’s another step in the right direction,” he said after Michigan’s 3-2 victory over Wisconsin. “It gives us some confidence our defense is playing better, our goalie is playing better and the forwards are really chipping in.”

Two wins against underrated non-conference teams may not do much for the Wolverines’ record. But this sweep is more important than any of Michigan's other five wins.

The struggling power play, ranked near the bottom of the NCAA scored three goals. The Wolverines’ most prolific scorer from last season, Louie Caporusso, notched two goals and added an assist. And goaltender Bryan Hogan, who boasted a mediocre .887 save percentage, made 63 saves in two games this weekend and earned his first shutout of the season against Minnesota on Friday.

The Wolverines may not be “back” just yet. But Berenson sure has them playing "Michigan hockey" once again.