NOTEBOOK \ SteelHounds vs. Laredo

Reunion: Laredo coach Terry Ruskowski attended Monday's New York Islanders/Pittsburgh Penguins game at Mellon Arena and saw his former teammate, Mario Lemieux, after the game. Ruskowski played for the Penguins in the mid-'80s. "We're a meat and potatoes type of team -- we're not flashy," Ruskowski said of Laredo. "If we keep it simple and plain, we have more success that way. Our defense moved the puck very well, especially in the second and third period."Injuries: SteelHounds forward Troy Kahler fractured his arm in the first period. Coach Jean Laforest says he may be through for the season. Defenseman Matt Nicholson is not expected to play tonight or make the team's trip to Lubbock, Texas, for Friday's game.Unusual weather: Bucks defenseman Serge Dube said his teammates are enjoying Ohio's weather. "In Laredo, we only get rain about five times a year." He added they're hoping it snows before they leave town. "We're Canadians -- we love snow."Coming up: The SteelHounds conclude their six-game homestand tonight at 7 against the Bucks. After that game ends, the SteelHounds will travel to Texas for Friday's game in Lubbock against Lubbock. The three-game roadtrip will include stops in Oklahoma City on Sunday and Bossier-Shreveport on Tuesday. The SteelHounds will open a six-game homestand on Nov. 25 against Corpus Christi.Power plays: Neither the SteelHounds nor the Bucks could score with the man-advantage. The SteelHounds went 0-for-8 while the Bucks failed on four tries. "Our penalty kill is doing a great job," Laforest said. The Bucks outshot the SteelHounds, 30-17.
Tom Williams