The short-handed Alaska Aces should have a couple more bodies in the lineup tonight against Bakersfield -- winger Jimmy Dahl of Anchorage is scheduled to help them out again and defenseman Bryan Miller, who has missed the last five games with a shoulder injury is expected to provide some minutes. (UPDATE: Miller, it turned out, was a scratch, and missed his sixth straight).

Without those two, the Aces have eight forwards and six defensemen, and the eight forwards include Merit Waldrop of Anchorage, who has twice signed on to help the club in the last month. Waldrop furnished an assist in Wednesday's 4-1 win over Bako.

Dahl has previously played three games for the Aces this season.

Miller was enjoying a fine campaign -- 4-21--25 totals in 40 games -- before he banged up his shoulder. I figure he could see some minutes on the wing tonight, probably on the power play, to put him in a situation where he is less likely to take a pounding. Cross your fingers for the guy -- he's had major surgery twice on each shoulder, and if he gets hurt that bad again, his career is likely over.