Ian Turns On Power
Laperriere's goal is a rarity, but not his physical play
(from the Rocky Mountain News)
By Rick Sadowski
Rocky Mountain News
September 17, 2005 - Ian Laperriere was laughing as he described the power-play goal he scored late in the third period Friday night in the Colorado Avalanche's Burgundy and White game at Magness Arena.
Laperriere, a feisty right wing playing for the White team, which lost 3-2, redirected Rob Blake's point shot behind goalie Peter Budaj to tie the score 2-2 with 5 minutes, 2 seconds remaining.
It might have been the last time Laperriere, who has scored four power-play goals in 11 NHL seasons, is on the ice in a power-play situation, and he knows it.
"I was never on the ice when (Blake) was out there when we were in Los Angeles," said a giggling Laperriere, who played with Blake for parts of nine seasons with the Kings and signed with the Avalanche after the 2003-04 season.
"(L.A. star) Luc Robitaille told me when I signed, you better go in front of the net every chance you get when those guys are out there because they'll put it on net," Laperriere said. "So I just go in front of the net when those guys have the puck and I put my stick on the ice."
Laperriere, who stands 6-feet-1 and weighs 200 pounds, has collected 78 goals in 694 NHL games, but he's known more for playing a physical and feisty defensive style; he has accumulated 1,242 penalty minutes in his career.
"I think (Laperriere) gets noticed with how well he can check, but I think, offensively, he's got some ability to make plays," Avalanche coach Joel Quenneville said. "I like how he competes and how he battles. I think he's going to be a real nice addition.
"He brings that element of toughness to our game. We don't expect him to be a fighter, but we expect him to play that feisty role."
Wojtek Wolski, the 19-year-old phenom from Poland, also is big and strong at 6-3, 200 pounds, but he plays a different kind of game. Blessed with good speed for a player his size, Wolski has the hands of a goal scorer and used them to give the Burgundy the victory.
Wolski continued his impressive camp with a shot from the right faceoff circle that eluded goalie Vitaly Kolesnik with 1 second left in regulation.
The youngster later registered the only goal in a shootout that wasn't necessary but will be part of every game in the preseason, which begins tonight for the Avalanche against the Dallas Stars at the Pepsi Center.
"He's a big kid and he's got great hands," Avalanche captain Joe Sakic, whose goal at 6:49 of the third period drew the White team within 2-1, said of Wolski. "He's been very impressive. He's got a lot of poise out there with the puck. He's playing with a lot of confidence."
It's been quite a week so far for Wolski, the Avalanche's first-round pick in 2004.
He has looked good since the first day of camp and just signed a three-year contract for a little more than $2 million.
"Things are falling into place," Wolski said. "I don't think I'm surprised. I'm starting to feel good. I'm not sure if I had any expectations. I just wanted to stay here as long as I could. Right now I'm just trying to have fun and trying to help as much as I can."
Quenneville especially likes the consistency that Wolski has been displaying.
"He's been very good since Day One," Quenneville said. "Every day he just does some things . . . every shift he's noticeable. He wants the puck and he can make plays. He protects the puck and he's got good acceleration when he gets it. You like his size. All areas are impressive."
Quenneville should get a better handle on his team during the game tonight against Dallas.
"I know everybody's champing at the bit to play a real game," he said. "We're still evaluating and we haven't worked on any of our system play. I think we can introduce a couple of things strategywise, how we want to play as a team. Going into the morning skate and going into the game, we'll have some suggestions on what we want to do."
David Aebischer, who stopped all 14 shots he faced Friday, is expected to split time with Budaj in goal against Dallas.