Jake Gardiner is taking his time in the AHL in stride. It's easy for a player who made the jump to the NHL last year for the first time, playing in 75 games (with 30 points), to get a little frustrated that he's back in the minors, but Gardiner isn't looking at it that way. "My ice time [north of 20 minutes a night], playing power play and penalty killing is great for getting more experience," Gardiner said. "It's improving my game so I can perform those at the next level even better." The 22-year-old blueliner has 12 points in 18 games with the Marlies.