Laperriere Scores Twice Against Former Team
(from the Los Angeles Times)
By Chris Foster
Times Staff Writer
October 20, 2005 - Ian Laperriere's first game of the season was nothing special, he said.
All Laperriere did was score two goals. He then watched his Colorado Avalanche blow a three-goal lead in a 5-4 loss to the Kings.
"When I woke up, I didn't think today was going to be special in any way," said Laperriere, who spent eight-plus seasons with the Kings. "When I play against them in L.A., then it will be hard. I have a lot of friends back there."
He might have lost a few Wednesday.
Laperriere scored two first-period goals, helping the Avalanche build a 4-1 lead. It was the first goals he has scored for the Avalanche since signing as a free agent during the summer of 2004. Laperriere even retrieved the puck after his first goal.
The evening went downhill for him quickly.
"We took the lead two or three times and we can't hold on to it and in the new NHL, we have to be able to do that," Laperriere said.
Laperriere said was happy to see his old teammates, although "they have made so many changes and there are so many new faces, I don't how many guys I still know."
One former teammate Laperriere was not so thrilled to see was Sean Avery, whose comments about French Canadian players angered Laperriere.
"I'm not talking about him," Laperriere said, smiling. "Nice try."
THREE STARS OF THE GAME:
#1 L.A 38 P. Demitra
#2 COL 14 I. Laperriere
#3 L.A 22 C. Conroy