Flyers' Laperriere 'Probable' For Game 4
(from CSNPhilly.com)
By Tim Panaccio and Sarah Baicker
CSNPhilly.com
May 21, 2010 - MONTREAL – All signs point toward the return of Ian Laperriere to the Flyers' lineup for Game 4 on Saturday afternoon.
"I'm getting closer," he told CSNPhilly.com.
General manager Paul Holmgren said in a statement that Laperriere remains day-to-day, but other team sources said he is "probable" for Game 4. He has been sidelined with a concussion and brain contusion since Game 5 of the Eastern Conference quarterfinals against New Jersey.
At Friday's practice at Bell Centre, Laperriere practiced with his regular linemates, Blair Betts and Darroll Powe.
Laperriere was asked by the team not to discuss his condition, but he was in good spirits after Friday's practice.
"I'm not looking, I'm not looking," he said with a grin as he walked past a pack of media members hoping for an update. "If I look I'll talk."
As for whether the Flyers' winger looked as if he'd returned to 100 percent, coach Peter Laviolette couldn't say for sure.
"That's hard for me to answer that question," Laviolette said. "I mean, if you're asking me if I would have liked to have had a healthy Ian Laperriere in the lineup last night, yeah, I would have. He's an excellent player, does a lot of things for us. He's an inspirational guy, and he looked good in practice."
Laperriere's return would be a boost to the Flyers' penalty kill unit, which has been strong in his absence thus far this series. The Flyers have given up just one goal in 14 opportunities for the Canadiens.
"He's a big part of the team," Simon Gagne said. "He's a character player. He's a role guy that, at this time of the season, is really important. He's a guy that's going to do everything for his teammates. He's going to block shots, we all know that. He's going to be physical. He's going to be tough to play against.
"He's the type of guy you like to have on the ice when it's two minutes left in the game, when you've got the lead or are forchecking the other team's best player. I think he's the best player on the penalty kill."
Danny Briere concurred.
"We all know what he does on the ice," Briere said. "He's tough to play against. He's a great penalty killer. He brings a lot of energy, finishes his checks. ... He's one of those guys that at the end of the night might not have a couple goals and couple assists, but he does a lot of little things right that helps out your team."
E-mail Tim Panaccio at tpanotch@comcast.net