Former Alaska Aces sniper Chris Minard, who played 35 games for the Pittsburgh Penguins the previous two seasons, is back in the NHL tonight, this time with the Edmonton Oilers.

Minard has a power-play assist on Sam Gagner's goal and is -2 in the third period in Montreal, where he's up against his old Aces linemate, center Scott Gomez of Anchorage. (Minard finished with that assist and -2 rating, plus two shots on goal in 10:54 of ice time in Edmonton's 5-4 shootout loss).

Minard until now this season has been with AHL Springfield, where he owns 15-10--25 totals and a +3 rating in 31 games. Minard played so few games for the Falcons because he missed a couple months with a concussion.