After 40 minutes Friday night, the Michigan hockey team's playoff footing was anything but stable.

The Wolverines had depended on a career back-up goalie to sustain them in the early stages of the first period and hadn't produced enough offense to put flu-stricken Lake Superior State on ice.

But when given the opportunity to make the statement it had failed over the first two periods of their CCHA playoff opener Friday night, the Wolverines finally got the break it needed en route to a 5-2 victory at Yost Ice Arena.

Matt Rust's goal just 36 seconds into the third period provided Michigan with a 3-goal cushion that never came into question the rest of the way.

For a team looking to make the most of home ice against a short-handed opponent at a time when two losses bring the season to a close, Rust's quick strike made all the difference.

The victory gives Michigan (20-17-1) a 1-0 lead in the best-of-3 series that continues Saturday night.

"If there's any doubt coming out at the start of the period, you know one team is going to bounce back," Michigan coach Red Berenson said. "When you're the team that gets that first break, that's really important....you're not giving a team a lot of confidence on the road."

Lake Superior State (15-17-5) had enough issues to deal with without having to erase a three-goal deficit. The Lakers played without leading scorer Rich Schofield, who along with teammates Will Acton and Chad Nehring were scratches Friday night due to the flu.

The three scored 37 of the Lakers' 91 goals this season, forcing Lake Superior State to find offense elsewhere.

Yet, it was Michigan that struggled to establish any offensive rhythm early. The Wolverines depended on junior goalie Shawn Hunwick over the opening eight minutes to fend off the Lakers, who had several early opportunities to score first.

Hunwick, making only his second career start in place of injured Bryan Hogan, handled each of the seven shots he saw, allowing the Wolverines to find their stride. A.J. Treais finally snapped Michigan's scoreless drought, giving the Wolverines a 1-0 lead at the 10:38 mark of the first period.

Even after dominating for much of the second period, Michigan - which only mustered a David Wohlberg goal on 16 shots - clung to a shaky 2-0 lead with still 20 minutes to play.

That's when Rust finally provided the Wolverines with some breathing room. Once with the 3-goal cushion, Michigan's defense gained confidence, withstanding a 2-minute 5-on-3 Lake Superior State advantage when the Lakers failed to score.

Even after the Lakers scored on Steven Kaunisto's goal that deflected off Treais' stick and into the net, Michigan responded. The Wolverines needed only 18 seconds before Brian Lebler extended the lead back to three goals.

For Michigan, the quick turnaround was a sign of maturity in a season that has provided its share of unsettling moments, putting the Wolverines' streak of 19 straight NCAA appearances in jeopardy.

"I think that speaks a lot for our team and where we are mentally," said Michigan captain Chris Summers, whose goal late in the third period capped the Wolverines' scoring. "Earlier in the season after a goal, we'd kind of hang our heads. Now after a goal against, we get after them and try and get it back."

With one win down, Michigan's focus moves to closing the Lakers out Saturday night. A victory would advance the Wolverines to the CCHA quarterfinals against rival Michigan State next weekend in East Lansing.

And despite not showing their best hockey early on Friday night, a win now puts Michigan in the driver's seat against the Lakers, who have dropped six straight games and who are likely again to be short-handed again in the second game of the series.

But Berenson won't allow the Wolverines to make too much out of the Lakers' line-up shortcomings. Instead, Michigan will need to play much better if they hope to make the most of its home ice advantage and close out Lake Superior State Saturday night.

"We did a good job tonight of letting them know that they're not going to have anything easy," said Wohlberg, who also had an assist in Friday's win. "It was just us proving what we could do at home."

Jeff Arnold covers Michigan hockey for AnnArbor.com. He can be reached at jeffarnold@annarbor.com or 734-623-2554. Follow him at Twitter @jeffreyparnold.