Restless Laperriere Can Only Watch With Flyers Down 0-3
(from the Philadelphia Daily News)
By Frank Seravalli
Philadelphia Daily News
May 6, 2010 - Ian Laperriere said he has had a little trouble getting to sleep recently.
But it isn't because of the brain contusion and mild concussion that have him out of the Flyers' lineup indefinitely.
Laperriere said he's had trouble sleeping because of the way the Flyers lost both nail-biting games in Boston to start the Eastern Conference semifinals.
"It's hard to watch hockey, but it's really hard to watch when it's your team playing," Laperriere said yesterday on "Daily News Live" on Comcast SportsNet. "You really want to be out there helping your team, especially with how those games were decided."
Laperriere said he visited a concussion specialist, who said it is "unlikely" he will be able to return at any point in the Stanley Cup playoffs.
Laperriere has been out of commission since he blocked a Paul Martin slap shot with his face in the third period of the Flyers' first-round, series-clinching win in New Jersey on April 22.
Since then, Laperriere said he hasn't been able to do much but rest. Eventually, time heals all wounds. The cut on his eyebrow, where he received 60 to 70 stitches, appears to be healing nicely. He also fractured his orbital bone on the shot.
His most important asset - his right eye - is almost back to normal. Doctors confirmed that the puck actually made contact with Laperriere's eye, leaving him temporarily blinded. He experienced slight blurriness in the days after the injury.
"That was my biggest concern," Laperriere said. "But that's close to back to normal."
Sitting on the "Daily News Live" set inside the AT & T Pavilion at the Wachovia Center, with a live, loud audience cheering "It's All About Lappy!" over and over again, Laperriere said he couldn't help but want to play.
Responding to a Sports Illustrated players poll that said the Wachovia Center is the NHL's fourth-toughest arena to play in, Laperriere shook his head.
"I know; I have played against the Flyers here and now I have played with the Flyers," Laperriere said. "Trust me, [the fans] make a difference."
Last night, they made a difference with Laperriere - who appeared close to tears when he received a rousing and lengthy standing ovation during the second period.
seravaf@phillynews.com