Peluso trade pays off immediately

The right wing was sent from the Portland Pirates to the Worcester Ice Cats Thursdaywhen the respective parent clubs, the Washington Capitals and St. Louis Blues, pulled off a trade. In exchange for Peluso, left wing Derek Bekar was dealt to Portland.

In his first game with Worcester Friday, Peluso scored the game-winning goal in a 4-2 victory at the St. John's Maple Leafs. On Saturday, he assisted on Marty Reasoner's game-winner in a 3-1 Ice Cats triumph over St. John's.

Peluso was in his third season with Portland and was one of the more popular players. He was the team's second-leading scorer last season with 54 points (25 goals-29 assists), and in 19 games this season he had 22 points (12-10).

It is not surprising that Worcester wanted Peluso. He scored 13 points (9-4) in 11 regular-season games and two goals in four playoff games against the Ice Cats, including the winner in double-overtime of Game 3 of their first-round series in April.

"They wanted Mike and we've wanted Bekar now for a couple of years," Portland coach Glen Hanlon told the Portland Press Herald. "Mike was a legitimate 30- to 40-goal scorer. We expect something in return. We're hoping Derek will supply us with speed and size."

Bekar was in his third season with the Blues organization. He had seven points (5-2) in 18 games with Worcester this season. In his debut with Portland Friday, he scored a goal and an assist in a 6-4 loss to Norfolk.

BROTHERS IN ARMS

Last weekend's home-and-home matchup between the Albany River Rats and Providence Bruins marked the first time in their pro careers that twin brothers Peter and Chris Ferraro played against each other.

On Saturday, Chris Ferraro recorded an assist to help Albany upset Providence, 2-1. On Sunday, Peter Ferraro notched a goal and an assist as the Bruins rebounded with a 3-1 win. Chris Ferraro had an assist in the loss for the Rats.

The rubber match for bragging rights among the twins comes Friday when the teams meet again in Albany.

LEAFS' NEW HOME

The St. John's Maple Leafs have announced that their new arena, scheduled to open in the spring of 2001, will be called "Mile One Stadium." The name reflects the fact that the first stretch of highway in North America begins in St. John's, Newfoundland.

"Mile One Stadium captures the significance of St. John's geographic and historic location in North America," Maple Leafs general manager Bill Watters said in a press release.

The parent Toronto Maple Leafs have said they will hold their 2001 training camp at Mile One Stadium, as well as face the rival Montreal Canadiens in a preseason game Sept. 16, 2001.

AWARD WINNERS

Worcester Ice Cats goaltender Dwayne Roloson has been selected AHL Player of the Week for the period ending Sunday. Roloson posted a 3-0 record for the week and stopped 112 of 117 shots.

Hamilton Bulldogs center Shawn Horcoff has been named the AHL Rookie of the Month for November. In 11 games, Horcoff recorded 13 points (5 goals-8 assists). Among the other rookies nominated for the award was the Penguins' Toby Petersen. Petersen had 15 points (6-9) in 13 games.

Kentucky Thoroughblades RW Mikael Samuelsson and St. John's Maple Leafs D D.J. Smith are co-winners of the AHL Plus/Minus Award for November. Both players were a plus-10 for the month. Samuelsson had 17 points (5-12) in 13 games. Smith had five points (3-2) in 14 games.

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