Home      Contact Us      What's New

About Ian

News

Media Center

Miscellaneous

In The Community

Shirts

Links

Laperriere's Goal: To Score More Of Them

Avalanche forward is frustrated with low offensive output

(from the Rocky Mountain News)

By Aaron J. Lopez
Rocky Mountain News

December 21, 2006 - Ian Laperriere wadded his practice jersey into a ball and eyed the target. 

"Can I make that?" he asked no one in particular as he measured the distance to the laundry basket about 12 feet away. "I don't make much these days." 

With a slight wink and a smile, the Avalanche forward then tossed the jersey into the basket without a problem. 

He shoots, he scores. 

It's not a phrase Laperriere has heard too often this season. 

After scoring a career-high 21 goals in 2005-06, the personable French Canadian has managed to put one puck into the net in 34 games. 

One, as in un, as in, un-fathomable. 

Laperriere, a gritty veteran, never has been considered a big point producer, but he can't help but wonder where his modest scoring touch has gone. 

"It's frustrating, I won't lie to you," he said. "It's frustrating, for sure. I think about it. I want to help the team scoringwise. People are like, 'Don't think about it.' Yeah, right. Just wear my skates and tell me don't think about it." 

Colorado's 7-6 victory against the Edmonton Oilers on Tuesday night did little to help Laperriere take his mind off his scoring drought. 

In a game featuring 13 goals and 22 assists, he did not record a point. He has not scored in 23 games since Oct. 29, and he has recorded only one assist in his past 12 games. 

Though Laperriere refuses to make excuses, the drastic drop-off can be attributed, in part, to the absence of Alex Tanguay, a nifty passer who often played alongside Laperriere last season. 

Tanguay was traded to the Calgary Flames during the summer, and his playmaking skills have made the transition nicely. His 22 assists are second on the team to captain Jarome Iginla. 

As if Laperriere needed another reminder of what used to be, Tanguay is set to return to the Pepsi Center for the first time tonight as a member of the Flames. 

"To say last year Alex wasn't a factor, I'd be lying to myself," Laperriere said. "I've never been known as a goal scorer, even in the past. Last year was a great year, a fun year for me to play with guys like that." 

Coach Joel Quenneville did his best to maximize Laperriere's scoring chances early in the season, putting him on the top scoring line with Joe Sakic and Andrew Brunette. 

Laperriere, who entered his 12th full NHL season with 99 career goals, experienced a harbinger when his apparent 100th goal was wiped out by a whistle in Colorado's third game this season. 

He managed to reach the milestone Oct. 29, but he since has been dropped to Colorado's fourth line. 

"Those first 10 games (on the top line) drives me nuts because I had so many chances and I didn't put them in," Laperriere said. "Last year, those shots would go in. 

"For whatever reason, I couldn't put the puck in the net, and they changed lines. My role's different." 

By default, Laperriere has become Colorado's resident agitator and tough guy, a role he split last season with Bob Boughner, Dan Hinote, Brad May and Cody McCormick. 

Boughner retired, Hinote left as a free agent, May is out indefinitely because of a shoulder injury and McCormick is playing in the minors. 

"I think about (fighting) more than last year, for sure," Laperriere said. "I'm not looking for excuses or anything. That's part of my job maybe more this year because we don't have anybody. I'm more than willing to do it." 

Laperriere proved just that Tuesday, when he fought Edmonton forward Brad Winchester 5 minutes into the second period. Colorado scored the tying goal less than 3 minutes later. 

Laperriere also helped kill all four Edmonton penalties, a contribution that goes unnoticed by most casual fans. While happy to help in any way possible, Laperriere still wants to recapture the magical feeling that comes with scoring goals. 

"They want me to kill penalties and be physical, which I'm all for," he said. "But it's not like I don't want to get on that scoring streak again. I'm not giving up on helping the team on scoring." 

ETC.: The Avalanche flew from Edmonton to Denver early Wednesday and arrived well ahead of the winter blizzard, but the game tonight against Calgary could be postponed because of snow. Avalanche spokesman Jean Martineau said a decision will be made today . . . Sakic was third among Western Conference forwards in the latest All-Star voting released Wednesday. He trails San Jose forwards Joe Thornton and Patrick Marleau.