EAST LANSING - By this point in the season, luck often factors into establishing some playoff momentum.

But when the Michigan hockey team managed to turn a pair of Michigan State scoring chances into goals of its own, the Wolverines not only set the tone for a stunning 5-1 CCHA quarterfinal victory Friday night, but stole home ice away from the No. 2-seeded Spartans in the process.

Closing the deal, the Wolverines know, will be a completely different story.

"We know they're going to be better tomorrow night," said Michigan junior forward Louie Caporusso, who scored a pair of goals in Friday night's win. "So we've got to keep hitting and keep our forecheck going and just work hard.

"But we're pretty confident and that's a good place to be."

The victory gives Michigan (22-17-1) a 1-0 edge in the best-of-3 series that will continue Saturday night in East Lansing. The winner of the quarterfinal match-up advances to next weekend's tournament semifinals at Joe Louis Arena in Detroit.

Michigan - the CCHA tournament's No. 7 seed - overwhelmed its biggest rival from the start, stringing together four unanswered goals before the rusty Spartans realized how deep of a hole they had dug themselves into.

Just what kind of a night was it for Michigan State? Munn Ice Arena officials inadvertently sounded the blaring horn normally reserved for Spartan goals after Michigan defenseman Steve Kampfer finished off a power-play chance only 21 seconds into the second period.

Just like that, Michigan's lead was four goals, setting the kind of tone Michigan coach Red Berenson had stressed all week.

"When you come into an away rink, you want to get on them early," said Kampfer, whose second-period goal marked the first time he had scored against Michigan State. "Obviously, we were fortunate to get on them quick tonight and to get our offense going."

Michigan made sure not to waste its quick start, learning from its last outing against Michigan State, which erased a 3-0 deficit at Joe Louis in late January before the Wolverines escaped with a 5-4 win to post their own regular-season win over the Spartans.

"That was in my mind," admitted Caporusso, who has now scored five goals in his last three games. "We know they're capable of coming back and we were going to have to keep in coming and keep the pressure on."

The Wolverines did so, limiting Michigan State (19-12-6) to only 16 shots - 15 of which Shawn Hunwick brushed aside. Along with Hunwick, Michigan's defense put together an inspired effort despite playing without injured senior captain Chris Summers.

Twice in the first period, Michigan's defense withstood a pair of Michigan State scoring chances, both which led to Wolverines goals.

Carl Hagelin made the most of the first chance, breaking free down the center of the ice and slipping a shot past Drew Palmisano.

David Wohlberg followed Hagelin's lead, beating Palmisano on a breakaway after Hunwick made an impressive kick save, keeping the Spartans scoreless before Michigan's offense continued to pad Michigan's cushion.

"You knew the early goals would be important, but we didn't expect we'd get three in the first period," Berenson said. "It went our way tonight and we've got to keep it going that way and if we don't, you know which way (the momentum) is going.

"You're not here to play two games, you're here to win two games so we'll try and come out tomorrow night hard and keep them on their heels."

Michigan State, which hadn't played in two weeks, finally snapped its lengthy scoring drought at the 14:31 mark of the second period. Derek Grant deflected a shot on a Michigan State power play, temporarily shrinking the deficit to three goals.

But after giving up the flurry of early Michigan goals, it was easy to see the Spartans were simply shell-shocked.

"It’s work," Michigan State coach Rick Comley said. "We won three of the first four against them. But they outworked us tonight. And their good kids were really good."

Caporusso again extended the Michigan lead back to four goals, taking advantage of Palmisano being out of position in the final minute. Palmisano attempted to clear the puck, but the Wolverines regained possession, setting up Caporusso, who lifted a shot over a pair of Spartans' defenders.

Game over.

Despite the impressive first step, the Wolverines remain cautiously optimistic knowing that with a win Saturday night, the Spartans are right back in it. If necessary, the two rivals would play a decisive third game Sunday night.

"Obviously, you want to (win the series) in two," Kampfer said. "But you know they're going to come out with more fire tomorrow. It's going to be a huge game - it's do-or-die for both teams and it's going to be a hard game and we're going to come out playing strong and they're going to come out a lot better."

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.