ANN ARBOR, Mich. — The score late in the third period might've been a coincidence, but the final result was the same for the St. Lawrence University men's hockey team.

For the second straight night, with the game tied at three in the final frame, second-ranked Michigan connected on the game-winner Saturday to sweep a weekend series from SLU at Yost Arena.

Wolverines sophomore Aaron Palusaj buried the winning tally in transition with over four minutes remaining to give Michigan a one-goal edge. Brian Lebler tacked on a power-play goal with eight seconds left to seal the 5-3 victory.

The weekend games were close, but far from comforting for the Saints (0-2). While St. Lawrence furiously charged back in the third period, defensive breakdowns and mental miscues made the difference for Michigan (2-0).

Palushaj split two defenders to scored the decisive goal for the Wolverines — his second of the game. Minor penalties on Saints senior defenseman Jared Ross (interference) and fellow blueliner Zach Miskovic (cross-checking) gave SLU little chance to tie the game again. While they killed the Wolverines' two-man advantage, Lebler's tally sealed St. Lawrence's fate.

"I am pleased with our effort in both games this weekend, and I really think it was a great experience for our younger guys," Saints head coach Joe Marsh said. "We made some mistakes both nights, but they are things that can be corrected."

St. Lawrence can be encouraged with its output in some areas, especially after being held to just eights shots in the first two periods. The Wolverines gained a two-goal advantage on tallies from Tristin Llewellyn and Palushaj in the first and second periods, respectively.

But like Friday, the Saints' penalty killing was spectacular. They kept the Wolverines from scoring on their first nine power-play chances. SLU had nullified 17 straight man-up opportunities for Michigan before Lebler's goal.

St. Lawrence persevered with a relentless third-period rally. Mike McKenzie scored his second goal of the series to get the Saints on the board. After Louie Caporusso scored to extend the Wolverines' lead back to two goals, SLU's Brock McBride brought the Saints back within a goal midway through the frame.

Miskovic unloaded a blast from the blue line that snuck past Michigan goalie Bryan Hogan to tie it up with less than five minutes to go. But Palushaj's second goal came 58 seconds after Miskovic's momentum-changing tally.

Junior goalie Kain Tisi started and made 13 saves in the first two periods for the Saints. SLU freshman Robby Moss played in his first collegiate game and provided 11 saves in the third. Hogan collected 15 saves for Michigan.

nNOTES:McKenzie has three points in two games this season. It took him six games to reach that mark last year. ... Michigan outshot St. Lawrence 29-18. ... A replay of Saturday's game will be shown at noon today on the NHL network. Check your local listings for the appropriate channel in your area.