The Peoria Rivermen failed to qualify for the AHL playoffs, and that has freed rookie winger Chris Bruton and rookie defenseman David Shields to rejoin the Alaska Aces heading into Wednesday night's Game 3 of their ECHL Western Conference semifinal series with Stockton.

Bruton and Shields will meet the team in Stockton on Tuesday, Aces coach Rob Murray said.

Bruton earned 6-7--13 and +4 totals, with 60 penalty minutes, in 27 games with the Aces. In 38 games for Peoria, he was 2-3--5 and -7 with 66 PIMs.

Shields in 12 games with the Aces was 1-5--6 and +2, and in 48 games with Peoria was 0-4--4 and -4.

Be surprised if both guys aren't in the lineup for Game 3.

The best-of-7 series is tied 1-1.