Defenseman Matt Carle of Anchorage last summer signed a 6-year, $33 million free-agent deal with the Tampa Bay Lightning, and tonight the NHL club got its money's worth.

Carle played a season-high 30 minutes, 6 seconds, in a 4-2 win over the Philadelphia Flyers. He was +1 with three shots and three blocks, and he played six minutes more than anyone else in the game. In 29 games, Carle owns 3-7--10 totals and a -3 rating.

Carle's teammate, center Nate Thompson of Anchorage, who started the season with the Alaska Aces during the lockout, played 17:04, with one shot and one block. Thompson, who had an even rating, owns 6-4--10 and -2 totals in 29 games.