Bridgeport Sound Tigers' Rick DiPietro defends the goal against Springfield Falcons during an AHL hockey game on Saturday, Dec. 5, 2009 in Bridgeport, Conn. DiPietro is in his first game after...

Bridgeport Sound Tigers' Rick DiPietro deflects a shot on goal against the Springfield Falcons during an AHL hockey game Saturday Dec. 5, 2009 in Bridgeport, Conn. DiPietro is returning to playing in his first...

...DiPietro allows a goal in the second period of play against Springfield Falcons' Geof Paukovich during an AHL hockey game on Saturday, Dec. 5, 2009 in Bridgeport, Conn. DiPietro is in his first game after...

...defends the goal against Springfield Falcons Chad Wiseman (15) in the second period of play during an AHL hockey game on Saturday, Dec. 5, 2009 in Bridgeport, Conn. DiPietro is in his first game after...

Bridgeport Sound Tigers' Rick DiPietro prepares to start in goal against the Springfield Falcons during an AHL hockey game Saturday Dec. 5, 2009 in Bridgeport, Conn. DiPietro is returning to playing in his first...

...Tigers' Rick DiPietro defends the goal in the second period of play against Springfield Falcons during an AHL hockey game on Saturday, Dec. 5, 2009 in Bridgeport, Conn. DiPietro is in his first game after...

...Rick DiPietro defends the goal in the second period of play against the Springfield Falcons during an AHL hockey game on Saturday, Dec. 5, 2009 in Bridgeport, Conn. DiPietro is in his first game after...

...Avery, left, is guarded by Manitoba's Guillaume Desbeins, back right, during the second period of the AHL hockey game in Hartford, Conn., Saturday, Feb. 14, 2009. Avery hasn't played since the NHL suspended...

...Stars, center, watches first period play with teammates Patrick Rissmiller, left, and Matt Zaba, right, during the AHL hockey game against Manitoba in Hartford, Conn., Saturday, Feb. 14, 2009. Avery hasn't played since the...

Ondrej Pavelec is off to a great start in the AHL

The AHL's rules experiments haven't increased scoring

Jason Spezza is the AHL's leading scorer for Binghamton

Steve Stirling's return to the AHL includes trips to the dressing room but no busses

Steve Stirling coached the Islanders' AHL affiliate in Bridgeport, Conn., the last two seasons