Laperriere's Risky Pass Pays Off
The fancy play led to a game-winning goal in Game 1 of the playoffs.
(from the Bucks County Courier Times)
By Wayne Fish
Bucks County Courier Times
April 15, 2010 - NEWARK -- Ian Laperriere gets paid $1.3 million to throw himself in front of pucks, not pass them on blind backhand plays.
But there the Flyers veteran was, making like Denis Savard on one of his patented spin-o-rama plays from the '80s, and setting up Mike Richards for what turned out to be the winning goal in the Flyers' 2-1 Game 1 victory over New Jersey on Wednesday night at the Prudential Center.
Laperriere doesn't usually make such fancy kinds of moves but saw an opportunity and took it.
Already up 1-0 late in the second period, this was a chance for the Flyers to put some significant distance on the Devils.
Laperriere blocked a Martin Skoula pass, skated to the top of the right circle, whirled and sent a backhand pass right onto Richards' stick. One wicked slapshot later (Richards blasting it past Martin Brodeur), the Flyers were in good shape at 16:27.
In all honesty, Laperriere knew he had taken a risk. But in retrospect, it was worth it.
"If I had missed that pass, I don't think you would have seen me on the ice again," Laperriere said with a chuckle. "It's one of those where you've got to take chances, if they work good, good for me and good for the team.
"I saw Richie come off the bench, just made that pass and it worked. But if it hadn't (worked), I don't think you would have seen (No.) 14 out there for a while."
Richards was a little surprised to see the puck on his stick but to his credit, he buried it.
"I knew that he saw me," Richards said. "I expected the pass but not a behind-the-backer. But once in a while he comes up with one of those great plays."
Smarter hockey
For the first time in 10 years of postseason action, not a single Flyer forward took a penalty in Game 1.
Pretty significant, considering players like Scott Hartnell, Daniel Carcillo and Daniel Briere have blazed a steady trail to the penalty box and helped make the Flyers the No. 1 team in minor penalties.
While the Flyers did have to kill off five New Jersey power plays, at least they weren't wasting their time killing off penalties caused by reckless play from their forwards.
Defenseman Chris Pronger said he will now have to work on his backline brethren to clean up their act.
"I guess the 'D' are going to have to sharpen up," Pronger said. "No, they (the forwards) did a great job. We need to continue to stay out of the box. I'll have a little chit-chat with the 'D' tomorrow to smarten them up."
Relishing the role?
Coach Peter Laviolette was asked after the game if the Flyers were enjoying their role as the underdog in this series.
"There's not a lot of people picking the Flyers out there," he said. "You have to give New Jersey credit because they're a very good team. They play a structured game. That's why media pick them to win the series. We need to play better than we did tonight.