A reunion could spark memories of the high school glory days or awkward family gatherings.

But Michigan hockey coach Red Berenson's idea of a reunion involves a whole lot of lamp-lighters.

After his team scored just one goal in Michigan’s series two weeks ago against Bowling Green, Berenson decided to mix up the forwards on Michigan’s top two lines. He moved sophomore Aaron Palushaj to play with sophomores Matt Rust and Carl Hagelin, who were all part of a high-flying offensive line last season.

“I think it was more of a point that Coach wanted to get some more scoring going,” Rust said. “Especially with me and Carl being kind of snakebitten, he wanted to put Palushaj back with us to get us going.”

And after the all-sophomore line combined for four goals and six assists in the Wolverines’ sweep of Michigan State last weekend, it looks like this reunion has helped Michigan find a permanent second line.

The three sophomores played together for about half of last season, becoming Michigan's second most productive line with 89 total points. The three have put up better combined statistics this year than last, but Hagelin and Rust struggled to score throughout the first half of the season. But the addition of Palushaj, who has 31 points so far this season, will likely help.

“Starting last year, it didn’t take too long for us to get used to each other and start putting up numbers,” Palushaj said. “I just thought it would be a matter of time before we played together again and just start producing again.”

Besides the scoring threat that it provides, perhaps the greatest attribute of the second line is its speed. Hagelin is one of the fastest players in the country, and Palushaj and Rust aren't slouches.

Just 36 seconds into last Saturday’s game against Michigan State, Palushaj slid the puck to Rust, who sped past the Spartan defense before whipping a wrist shot into the net.

Later in the game, Hagelin made a similar play, receiving a pass from Rust and skating past the Spartan defensemen before scoring just 12 seconds into the third period.

“He has the ability to create offense just by cutting back or beating a guy with his speed," Rust said of Hagelin. “And Aaron is a guy who just has tremendous playmaking ability. He can just find you wherever on the ice. I’ve never seen a player that can pass it through four pairs of skates, or over and under sticks like Aaron can.”

Palushaj describes himself as the linemate who likes to slow the play in the neutral zone to draw attention from the defense. He then takes advantage of his linemates' speed as they streak down the wings by delivering them the puck, which creates a scoring opportunity for the Wolverines.

Palushaj tallied three assists Saturday, one each to Hagelin, Rust and junior acting captain Chris Summers.

“For Palushaj, it's been good for him,” Berenson said. “He’s been in a bit of a rut since he’s been back. When you’re playing with Carl and Rust, they play so hard that things happen, and he complements them. He can make plays even if he’s not scoring.”

Like the rest of Michigan’s unpredictable season, it's hard to tell what will happen next for the line. But as No. 1 Notre Dame looms large this weekend, the sophomore trio must continue its success for Michigan to beat the Irish.