Several Alaska-connected cats played principal roles in an American Hockey League game tonight, so that's where we begin our lap around the ice.

Former UAF defenseman Tyler Eckford scored his third goal of the season and added a shootout goal for Lowell in a 4-3 shootout win at Springfield. Springfield's Chris Minard, the former Alaska Aces sniper, notched the game-tying, power-play goal in the third period, with one of the assists going to former Aces winger Charles Linglet. Both Minard and Linglet scored in the shootout, but Lowell won the skills contest 3-2 after seven rounds.

Elsewhere in the 'A,' former UAA goaltender Nathan Lawson stopped 29 shots for Bridgeport but took a tough-luck loss, 2-0, at Manchester. Manchester's Jonathan Bernier one-upped him -- or is that two-upped? -- with 40 saves. Tim Wallace of Anchorage authored the empty-net capper for Wilkes-Barre/Scranton in a 6-4 win over visiting Hershey.

In the ECHL, tough night for Toledo rookie goalie Jordan Pearce of Anchorage, who faced just 22 shots (including a successful penalty shot) in falling 7-3 to Reading. One of Reading's goals came from former UAA captain Charlie Kronschnabel. Oh, and Reading tender Kevin Regan, the former Ace, stopped 32 shots.

From a lightning quick, random survey of some college summaries, Northern Michigan's Billy Smith, the former UAA skater from Sterling, had one goal, one assist and was +2 in a 3-3 tie with visiting Bemidji State.