DURHAM, N.H. — The No. 3 Michigan ice hockey team features a number of distinct offensive weapons on all four of its lines.

But with minor team injuries, the need to get young players into game action and experimentation with line chemistry, Michigan coach Red Berenson has had to shake up his lines on occasion this season.

With the recent changes, Berenson has challenged senior right wing Scooter Vaughan to take on various roles for the Wolverines (2-0-0 CCHA, 2-0-2 overall). And line adjustments haven’t affected Vaughan’s ability to perform in games.

The senior has two goals to his name this season, including one in Saturday’s contest against New Hampshire (0-0-0 Hockey East, 1-1-1 overall), matching his goal total from last year in only four games.

“He’s been really good for us since the start of the season,” senior left wing Carl Hagelin said. “He’s working hard, he’s a great skater, and he’s been scoring for us too, so that’s key for us. He’s an impact player and he is just trying to move up in the lineup. He’s been doing a good job showing coach every day in practice and in games that he belongs up there.”

Vaughan’s goal on Saturday came on Michigan’s first power play of the game and gave the Wolverines the 1-0 lead on the road. Junior right wing Luke Glendening backhanded a pass to Vaughan at the bottom of the right circle and Vaughan netted it for the first score of the game.

“(Vaughan) had a good game, (it was) good for him,” Berenson said. “He played well, scored the first goal. He’s a good skater, and I think a big rink like this lends itself to a kid that can really skate.”

No Rust for Rust: After going down with a lower body injury one week ago against Bowling Green, senior center Matt Rust missed Tuesday’s contest against the U.S. National Team Development Program and didn’t skate in practice until late in the week. But after some rest, Rust returned to his regular spot in the Wolverines' lineup on Saturday.

Rust, Hagelin and sophomore right wing Chris Brown make up one of Michigan’s most dangerous lines. The trio has netted four goals and seven assists in the Wolverines’ four games.

Hagelin said he didn't feel like he played well against USNTDP, and while he couldn’t attribute his performance completely to Rust’s absence, there is no denying the line is more prolific when Rust is in his usual spot.

Having Rust back on the ice benefitted the Wolverines on Saturday, as the whole line was involved in Brown’s first goal of the season in the second period. Rust’s pass from behind the goal set up Hagelin’s feed to Brown for the goal.

“(Rust’s line) played pretty well,” Berenson said. “They played a lot against (New Hampshire’s) top line — DeSimone’s line — so you’re playing against one of the top lines in college hockey.”

Freshmen getting their shot: Berenson made it a priority to get the younger Wolverines some significant ice time in Tuesday’s game against the USNTDP, and freshmen Derek DeBlois, Jacob Fallon and Kevin Clare all earned line spots in Saturday’s game as well.

DeBlois and Fallon took the wing spots on Michigan’s fourth line with senior Ben Winnett at center, while Clare, a defenseman, played with junior Greg Pateryn.

While these freshmen were kept off the stat sheet on Saturday, they now have two consecutive experiences in live games — and Berenson knows the depth that the younger icers give the Wolverines will be crucial down the stretch.

“(The freshmen) got an experience (at New Hampshire),” Berenson said. “Another good experience, especially on the road, when you come and play in a place like this, this is a good team. You’ve got to be at your best. I hope they got something out of that game.”