* No concern: A day after learning right wing Nick Palmieri has mononucleosis, coach Peter Sidorkiewicz said he is unconcerned about the potential spread of the illness around the team. “I’ve been around long enough. I’ve seen many guys with it,” he said. “I’ve yet to see two guys get it on one team.”
Mononucleosis is a common viral illness that can leave people feeling tired and weak for weeks or months, according to www.webmd.com. It can be spread through contact with saliva and mucus, according to WebMD. “A lot of things are shared among the guys in the locker room, like water bottles,” center Jordan Skellett said. “I certainly hope (the illness isn’t) wandering around (Palmieri’s) locker somewhere.”
But head trainer Kyle Creasy said the odds are slim a player would contract it by using the same bottles or other equipment. “It’s not something that’s going to transfer (among) the team very easily,” he said.
Brad Boyes had the last known case of mononucleosis early in the club’s 2001-02 championship season. He finished the season with 36 goals and 77 points in 47 games and earned his second straight league MVP award, despite missing a month. “If it works out for Nick,” Sidorkiewicz said, “that’s great for us.”
* Speaking of Palmieri: Sidorkiewicz said Palmieri could miss one to two months. Conditioning will be an issue once Palmieri returns, Sidorkiewicz said. “He’s in good shape. He’s a young man,” Sidorkiewicz said. “Hopefully it won’t take more than a week or two after he comes back to get back into stride.”
* Lease update: Co-owners Ron Sertz, Sherry Bassin, Jeff Fatica and Ray Irwin will discuss the state of the Otters over the next few days at an undisclosed location in Ontario, Sertz said Wednesday. The re-opened negotiations regarding the club’s Tullio Arena lease will be on the agenda. “You’re always analyzing the business side of things, how that’s going,” said Sertz, who’s also director of operations.
Sertz and Casey Wells, Erie County Convention Center Authority’s executive director, haven’t met in person in the past three weeks, instead choosing to correspond by e-mail. Yet, Sertz planned to review Wells’ response to the club’s requests for potential changes on Wednesday night.
While Wells declined to comment, Sertz reiterated his hopes to lower arena-related costs after the organization’s significant financial losses last season. “We’re always looking to limit our expenses and increase our revenues,” he said. “They’re looking to maximize the revenues. You’re looking for balance.”
* Taylor struggling: Second-year center Shayne Taylor has no points and a minus-3 rating in six games this season. But he remains positive through his early-season troubles. “I’m just trying to stay strong and get back on track,” Taylor said. “I haven’t had a good opportunity. I’m waiting for it to come. Hopefully I’ll take advantage of it when it comes.”
* A new challenge: The club’s rookies face the first set of three games in three days of their OHL careers this weekend. They play in Peterborough and Oshawa tonight and Friday before playing Windsor at home Saturday. “It’s going to be a tough thing,” rookie defenseman Tyler Hostetter said. “(I) never did that (in minor hockey) except for tournaments, but nothing like this.”

– Victor Fernandes