Crabb Sent To AHL; Carle Logging Massive Ice Time; Gee, Scotty Furnished A Helper?

Another Alaska-connected guy left the NHL today -- the Atlanta Thrashers sent winger Joey Crabb to Chicago of the American Hockey League. Crabb, who last season made his NHL debut, helped the Wolves to a Calder Cup two seasons ago.

Elsewhere, the Philadelphia Flyers continue to bag-skate defenseman Matt Carle of Anchorage during exhibition games. Carle logged 29:38 of ice time and earned an even rating tonight in a 1-0 loss at New Jersey.

In stunning news -- well, stunning if it hadn't already happened a few hundred times -- Montreal Canadiens center Scott Gomez provided a handy helper. He dished an assist in the third period to help produce the game-winning goal in a 3-2 win over Buffalo. Gomez fired a team-high four shots and won 9 of 19 face-offs, which is better than he's been doing on draws most of the preseason.