Ann Arbor — It took the Wolverines 10 contests against the Spartans to finally beat their intrastate rival Saturday night, 6-2 — the first time in nearly two years.

But the loss came a day after MSU posted a 7-4 win over U-M at Munn Ice Arena in front of a deafening crowd of 7,092 fans.

Friday's game wasn't looking too promising for the Spartans as they trailed, 3-1, after the first period.

But goals from sophomore forwards Matt Schepke and Justin Abdelkader and junior forwards Chris Mueller and Jim McKenzie sparked a four-goal second period in what arguably was the best period of MSU hockey in years.

"I don't think anyone in the locker room was worried (after the first period)," MSU head coach Rick Comley said. "We really got going in the second. We got to their goalie and did some real good things."

Sophomore forward Nick Sucharski scored in the third, and Abdelkader added his second tally of the night to seal the Spartans' first important win of the season.

"We had to play really well," Comley said. "We did. And then momentum got on our side, and we just kept going."

But Saturday in Ann Arbor, the momentum flip-flopped. Saturday, it was the Wolverines with four second-period goals. Saturday, it was the Wolverines who won the battles in the corners, feeding off fan enthusiasm. And Saturday, it was the Wolverines who scored highlight-reel goal after highlight-reel goal.

"To be honest with you, we didn't do anything," senior captain Chris Lawrence said.

"We played scared. I don't think we were scared, but we played scared. We didn't do anything right. We couldn't get the puck out of our zone — they won every battle."

U-M goals were premium enough to chase sophomore goaltender Jeff Lerg from the net in favor of freshman backup Bobby Jarosz, who saw his first college playing time after the second period.

"I didn't pull him because of the goals he gave up; it's just a chance to get Jarosz in," Comley said.

"I thought, in the first period, that's the best Jeff's played all year. Second period, I don't know. It's one of those things again, the puck's going in, but can you really blame him on some of those?"

Sophomore forward Tim Kennedy scored both goals for the Spartans, but it wasn't enough to offset the speed U-M used to generate an abundance of chances in the contest.

"We allowed them to play with great speed (Saturday)," Comley said. "When they're roaring — holy cow. And then our defensemen struggled to handle it."

The Spartans also were without McKenzie on Saturday. McKenzie suffered a shoulder injury in the first period of Friday's game, but did return to finish the contest. As of Saturday, however, Comley said his status was "uncertain," but he "might have a chance" of playing Tuesday on a quick turnaround when MSU hosts Ferris State.

"We have to take a look in the mirror and get ready for a team that's been giving us fits the past few years," Lawrence said.

Faces in the crowd

Making Friday night more special for fans at Munn Ice Arena was the attendance of former Detroit Red Wings hockey legend and current Wings Vice President Steve Yzerman, who was met with a thunderous standing ovation in the closing minutes of the game.