Think of Nick Mazzolini's current gig with the Alaska Aces as that of a temporary hire trying to impress enough to secure full-time employment.

So far, so good.

The rookie center from Anchorage debuted for the ECHL hockey club during a three-game, California road trip last week, racked two assists in his first game and secured the game-winning shootout strike in his second game. He generated a plus-3 rating in three games and caught the attention of first-year coach Brent Thompson.

"He made good decisions with the puck,'' Thompson said. "He's a big body (6-foot-2, 210 pounds) who plays within himself.

"He's got a good head for the offensive game. He needs work in the defensive zone -- everyone does -- but there's something there.''

And with the Aces loaded with forwards -- they still have 14 after releasing winger Brett Hemingway on Thursday -- Mazzolini needs to keep impressing when the club opens a two-game home series against the Bakersfield Condors tonight.

"It's a continual audition for him,'' Thompson said. "Our young guys have to prove themselves day-in and day-out, and he's no exception.''

Mazzolini, 25, understands the situation. Still, he tried last week to keep what's at stake from changing the way he played when positioned between wingers Matt Stefanishion and Tomas Kana.

"I didn't think of it as that dire,'' Mazzolini said. "If you do that, you're going to grip your stick too hard. You have to stay calm and play your game.

"I wanted to play that defensive role at center, make sure we weren't a hindrance on defense, and if we scored goals, that was a bonus.''

In Stefanishion and Kana, Mazzolini was equipped with two experienced players who possess hard shots, particularly Stefanishion. Stefanishion bagged two goals in the opener in Stockton and Kana, who like Mazzolini was making his season debut, furnished an assist in each of his first two games.

Stefanishion said Mazzolini's transition from rookie practice player to a guy making his pro debut seemed seamless.

"He's really strong on the puck,'' Stefanishion said. "That first game in Stockton, he fed me a couple of nice passes. He slid right in and fit in nice. He definitely showed he belonged in the lineup.''

Mazzolini began the season on the 21-day injured reserve to strengthen his surgically repaired left knee. He underwent surgery in March, after finishing his senior season at Providence College. He had dislocated his kneecap twice last season and also needed some cartilage damage repaired.

When the Aces went to a shootout in their second game at Stockton, after winning with one second left in overtime the previous night, Mazzolini wasn't among the five shooters Thompson picked.

But when the shootout went to a sixth round, Thompson tapped Mazzolini on the shoulder. He said Mazzolini generally is one of the team's most successful scorers during shootouts in practice.

Mazzolini faked to his backhand and beat Thunder goaltender Bryan Pitton with a wrister. That proved the game-winner when Aces goalie Scott Reid denied Stockton's Jason Pitton to secure the win.

"I just focused and said, 'C'mon, don't embarrass the squad,' '' Mazzolini said. "It's really helped out my confidence, and I'm excited for this weekend.''

Shuffling the deck

Because the NHL's Anaheim Ducks, does not have an American Hockey League affiliate this season, many Ducks prospects are playing for Bakersfield.

Bakersfield's current lineup includes veteran NHLer Kyle Calder (No. 19), a winger who has played 576 regular-season games in the NHL and generated 114-178--292 totals in the world's best league. Goaltender Justin Pogge (No. 31) also has played in seven NHL games.

Ten Bakersfield players have a combined 618 games worth of AHL experience.

Thirteen of the Condors were NHL draft picks, including three first rounders -- rookie defenseman Mark Mitera (No. 36), rookie forward Logan MacMillan (No. 11) and defenseman Sasha Pokulok (No. 4) -- and eight players drafted in the first three rounds.

The Condors have signed former Aces center Gino Guyer and said he will make the trip here. Guyer last season earned 14-24--38 totals in 71 games for now-defunct Phoenix of the ECHL. He has not yet played a game this season.