Michigan's third line needed a big change.

How big?

About six feet, two inches and 210 pounds.

Throughout the first eight games of the season, the third line kept coming up with goose eggs when it came to goals.

When the Wolverines dropped a 7-4 decision to Michigan State more than a week ago, Michigan coach Red Berenson decided to tweak some of the offensively stagnant lines. And that's how freshman Brian Lebler, the hulking left winger, joined the ailing third line.

The Penticton, British Columbia, native started out the season on Michigan's second line, alongside scoring powerhouses Andrew Cogliano and Chad Kolarik.

But once Lebler swapped spots with former third-liner Tim Miller, things just started to click.

With the hefty power forward playing to their left, sophomores Jason Bailey and Travis Turnbull finally saw their line light the red lamp. Lebler notched a tally in each game of last weekend's sweep of Nebraska-Omaha.

Asked how it felt to have the line he centers finally make the scoresheet, Turnbull sighed and let a laugh escape.

"You have no idea," he said. "It's a major monkey off the back."

While the Cogliano-Kolarik combination is known for its glittering talent and skill-oriented play, the third line hits the ice in a grittier fashion. And that suits Lebler just fine.

Lebler is in his element when he's competing for pucks along the boards, doing the dirty work in the goal crease and battling through scrums in the corners. And the rookie isn't afraid to use his entire 6-foot-2, 210-pound frame to let opponents know he's there to protect the puck.

Sounds like the right guy for that grizzly third line.

"We have to come up with a name for them, but they're like our version of the Grind Line," Berenson said, referencing the infamous Detroit Red Wings line known for its hard-nosed enforcing style. "They'll come at you. They're tough to play against. Bailey plays physical and strong, so does Turnbull and so does Lebler. They have a chance, when they get the puck, to attack."

Said Lebler: "I really like where I am now. It's more my style of hockey. It's more bang, crash play."

Lebler grew up in Canada, but he was born in Austria. His father played for Wisconsin, where he won a national championship, and then pursued a professional career overseas.

But the elder Lebler never pressured his son to follow in his Badger footsteps. And while Lebler seriously considered heading to Madison for college, ultimately "just a feeling" steered him toward Ann Arbor.

And in his first month or so here, the feeling around Yost Ice Arena is that Lebler fits in quite well.

"I think he's doing great," Turnbull said. "He's getting better every game. He seems to be clicking with especially our line and the rest of the guys on the team. He's definitely been a big help to us offensively, that's for sure. He's a very strong guy and he works hard down low."

Notes: While his father boogied in the stands over the weekend, sophomore Jack Johnson danced his way to his second CCHA Defenseman of the Week award this year and his third ever. The goal and assist he notched helped build his plus-six rating for the two-game series.The star blue liner also earned the honor the first week of this season and once last year.

. After a gradual descent in the rankings this season, the Wolverines are riding a three-game win streak and made a two-spot jump up to No. 8 in the USA Today/USA Hockey Magazine poll.