Lindsay Sparks is the final one to leave the ice, having collecting the last puck left behind by his Michigan hockey teammates in a small basket. 

Sparks was a late commit, limiting his connection to Michigan's program to Michigan's assistant coaches rather than Red Berenson. So as Sparks began his collegiate career, Berenson still needed to see what he had before he'd know where Sparks would fit.

Or if he'd fit at all.

"I had to work for every inch of ice I got," Sparks said. "I knew I was going to be fighting for a spot in the lineup every game. I knew it was going to be hard, but I knew I was going to be able to do it."

Sparks spent last year with the Oakville (Ontario) Blades, scoring 18 goals and 39 assists, making a name for himself as a scoring threat. When he got to Michigan, though, he discovered a lot of forwards on the roster.

Initially, Sparks was left out of the lineup, making daily workouts his only opportunity to show Berenson his skills.

In time, Berenson saw more from Sparks in practice, leading Berenson to believe the freshman was ready. Berenson gave Sparks his first shot in a vital game against Notre Dame. Berenson was impressed.

"I thought he looked like he belonged," Berenson said.

A week later at the Great Lakes Invitational, Berenson bumped Sparks to a different line, pairing him with Louie Caporusso and Brian Lebler. Again, Sparks responded, scoring his first career goal in a 5-3 win over Michigan Tech.

Then against Western Michigan, Sparks scored a goal and two assists in a 4-3 win, giving him solid back-to-back weekends. There's still plenty of work to be done. Sparks has to play better without the puck, strengthening his line without getting the chance to score as much as he became accustomed during in junior hockey back in Canada.

Berenson said Monday he is considering pairing Sparks with Caporusso and Luke Glendening, providing more opportunities to make an impact. Berenson compares Sparks to former Michigan standout Jeff Tambellini, now in his rookie season with the New York Islanders.

"He can really shoot the puck, he's smart with the puck and he's got some good skills," Berenson said. "But he's finding his way to help this team."

His improvement couldn't come at a better time with Michigan currently on a 3-game win streak. With a sweep this weekend over Alaska at Yost Ice Arena (7:35 p.m., Friday and Saturday), the Wolverines, who began the Western Michigan series in 10th place, would find themselves tied for fourth.

"I just need to keep playing the way I am and not get too fixated on the points or stuff like that," Sparks said. "We just need to start winning because that's the main goal right now with where we're at."

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.