Ian Laperriere News and Photos
December 2008
Congratulations to Ian Laperriere for being named the Avs' ADT Defensive Player of the Month for December 2008
Avalanche 6 - Wild 5
Ian Laperriere - 2 Assists
The crowd erupts after Mikko Koivu of the Minnesota Wild scores a goal against the Colorado Avalanche during the game at the Xcel Energy Center on December 1, 2008 in Saint Paul, Minnesota. (Photo by Bruce Kluckhohn/Getty Images)
Laperriere's Brave Heart Needed Now
(from the Denver Post, 12/4/08)
Ian Laperriere has been putting up some crooked scoring numbers of late, kind of like his nose.
"You wouldn't believe the number of plastic surgeons who have slipped me their business cards in different cities," the Avalanche forward said. "I tell them, 'Maybe when my career is done, we can talk...' "
Read the rest here
Avalanche 2 - Predators 3
Ian Laperriere had 1 hit and went 3/5 in the face-off circle as the Avs fell to the Preds on Thursday, December 4, 2008.
Colorado Avalanche right wing Ian Laperriere has words with Nashville Predators right wing Jordin Tootoo after he cross-checked him during the first period at the Sommet Center in Nashville Thursday, December 4, 2008. Ian Laperriere tried to bate Tootoo into a fight but was not successful; instead he received a double minor for cross-checking and unsportsmanlike conduct. The Predators would score on the powerplay. (Photo by Sanford Myers/The Tennessean)
Nashville Predators defenseman Ville Koistinen and Colorado Avalanche right wing Ian Laperriere meet in mid-air along the glass as they go for the puck during the second period at the Sommet Center in Nashville Thursday, December 4, 2008. (Photo by Sanford Myers/The Tennessean)
Avalanche 1 - Stars 2 (SO)
Ian Laperriere logged over 14 minutes of ice-time in the Avs' first shoot-out loss of the season on Friday, December 5, 2008.
Avalanche 5 - Canucks 4 (SO)
Ian Laperriere had 2 shots on goal as Colorado came out on top in the shoot-out against Vancouver on Sunday, December 7, 2008.
Ian Laperriere talks about the Avalanche's 5-4 comeback victory against Vancouver on Dec. 7, 2008.
(Post-game comments courtesy of Avalanche TV)
Watch the video here
Avalanche 6 - Kings 1
Ian Laperriere - Fight vs. John Zeiler, 1 Assist, 3rd Star of the Game
Assistant captain Ian Laperriere talks about Colorado's upcoming game against the Kings on Dec. 9, 2008 (Courtesy of Avalanche TV)
Watch the video here
Ian Laperriere of the Colorado Avalanche lands a punch against John Zeiler of the Los Angeles Kings at the Pepsi Center on December 09, 2008 in Denver, Colorado.
(Photo by Michael Martin/Getty Images)
Colorado Avalanche right winger Chris Stewart celebrates scoring a shorthanded goal with right winger Ian Laperriere against the Los Angeles Kings in the second period of an NHL hockey game in Denver on Tuesday, Dec. 9, 2008. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
Fight Clip from hockeyfights.com
Avalanche 3 - Blackhawks 4
Ian Laperriere - 1 Goal, 1 Assist, 2nd Star of the Game
Lappy an Offensive Threat
(from the Official Site of the Colorado Avalanche)
With all due respect, one of the Avalanche's top offensive threats recently has also been one of its more unexpected. But with a goal and an assist tonight, Laperriere has now totaled 12 points (4g/8a) in 29 games this season. The veteran forward has been especially hot as of late, with nine of those points (3g/6a) coming in his last 10 outings. Laperriere recorded 19 points (4g/15a) in 70 games a season ago.
Video of the Goal from nhl.com
Ian Laperriere talks to the media prior to Colorado's game against Chicago on December 12, 2008. (Courtesy of Avalanche TV)
Watch the video here
Ian Laperriere of the Colorado Avalanche celebrates a goal against the Chicago Blackhawks with teammate Chris Stewart at the Pepsi Center on December 12, 2008 in Denver, Colorado.
(Photo by Michael Martin/Getty Images)
Colorado Avalanche defenseman John-Michael Liles celebrates with right winger Ian Laperriere after Laperriere's goal as right winger Chris Stewart joins in against the Chicago Blackhawks in the first period of an NHL hockey game in Denver on Friday, Dec. 12, 2008.
(AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
John-Michael Liles of the Colorado Avalanche is congratulated by teammate Ian Laperriere after Liles assisted on Laperriere's goal against the Chicago Blackhawks at the Pepsi Center on December 12, 2008 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Michael Martin/Getty Images)
(Post-game Comments Courtesy of Avalanche TV)
Watch the video here
Avalanche 3 - Red Wings 2
Ian Laperriere had 2 shots, 1 hit and 2 blocked shots as Colorado defeated Detroit Monday, December 15, 2008.
Detroit Red Wings' Jiri Hudler and Colorado Avalanche's Ian Laperriere work for position in the first period of an NHL hockey game in Detroit, Monday, Dec. 15, 2008. (AP Photo)
Adam Foote #52, Ian Laperriere #14 and Scott Hannan #22 of the Colorado Avalanche discuss what they are going to do on the penalty kill during a NHL game against the Detroit Red Wings on December 15, 2008 at Joe Louis Arena in Detroit, Michigan. The Avalanche defeated the Red Wings 3-2. (Photo by Dave Reginek/Getty Images)
Avalanche 2 - Flyers 5
Ian Laperriere - Fight vs. Scott Hartnell
Scott Hartnell of the Philadelphia Flyers reaches for the puck against Chris Stewart and Ian Laperriere of the Colorado Avalanche on December 16, 2008 at Wachovia Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images)
Scott Hartnell of the Philadelphia Flyers and Ian Laperriere of the Colorado Avalanche tangle during the second period on December 16, 2008 at Wachovia Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images)
Fight Clip from hockeyfights.com
Avalanche 2 - Lightning 1 (SO)
Ian Laperriere had 3 shots and 2 hits in Colorado's shoot-out victory over Tampa Bay on Thursday, December 18, 2008.
Martin St. Louis of the Tampa Bay Lightning and Ian Laperriere of the Colorado Avalanche wait as officials discuss a controversial call during the penalty shootout at the St. Pete Times Forum on December 18, 2008 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Doug Benc/Getty Images)
Avalanche 0 - Panthers 3
Ian Laperriere - Fight vs. Nick Tarnasky
Nick Tarnasky of the Florida Panthers fights with Ian Laperriere of the Colorado Avalanche at the Bank Atlantic Center on December 21, 2008 in Sunrise, Florida.
(Photo by Eliot J. Schechter/Getty Images)
(Photo by Eliot J. Schechter/Getty Images)
Officials try to break up a fight between Florida Panthers center Nick Tamasky and Colorado Avalanche right wing Ian Laperriere during the second period of an NHL hockey game in Sunrise, Fla., Sunday, Dec. 21, 2008. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)
Fight Clip from hockeyfights.com
Avalanche 5 - Coyotes 4 (OT)
Ian Laperriere had 2 shots and won 63% of his 16 face-offs in Colorado's overtime win against Phoenix on Tuesday, December 23, 2008.
Ian Laperriere of the Colorado Avalanche skates against the Phoenix Coyotes at the Pepsi Center on December 23, 2008 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Michael Martin/Getty Images)
Avalanche right wing Ian Laperriere falls as he battles Coyotes center Olli Jokinen for the puck. (Photo by Darin McGregor/The Rocky)
Check out the Lappy sweatshirt behind the Coyotes bench!!
(AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
(Post-game Comments Courtesy of AvalancheTV)
Watch the video here
Experts Vote on League's Best
Annual NHL Players Poll - by SUN MEDIA
From water coolers to pub tables to hockey stands, debates rage – arguments over hockey's great questions. Wagers are often made. Wait no more, hockey fans. Hockey writers from across the Sun Media chain have polled more than 50 players, scouts, coaches, executives and media members on 25 of the most critical questions and compiled the results. Our annual survey may not solve every bet, but it's a pretty definitive way of determining what the hockey experts have to say on the topic.
In this poll, Ian Laperriere was voted the #2 "Funniest Player" in the league, and also received votes for "Best Trash Talker" and "Opponent You'd Most Like to Have on Your Team."
Avalanche 4 - Red Wings 3 (SO)
Ian Laperriere had 3 shots, 5 hits and over 16 minutes of ice time in Colorado's shoot-out victory over Detroit on Saturday, December 27, 2008.
(Pre-game Comments Courtesy of Avalanche TV)
Watch the video here
One of our photos from the game
Post-game comments from the Avalanche Locker Room Report
Avalanche 5 - Predators 1
Ian Laperriere logged 16:38 of ice time and had 1 shot, 2 hits, 3 blocked shots and won 9 of his 14 face-offs as the Avs defeated the Predators in Denver on Monday, December 29, 2008.
Ian Laperriere waits for the officials to review the play.
(One of our photos from the game)
From The Dipso Chronicles Blog, 12/30/08:
Hockey is a sport of accountability, and players know that you do not get away with anything. Jordin Tootoo plays a specific role for his hockey team, which is typically referred to as "agitator" or "pest." Every team has at least one. He plays hard, hits hard, does a lot of yapping at the opponents in an effort to get under their skin, and sticks up for his teammates. The better, more respectful and respectable players of this sort (see: Ian Laperriere) get the agitator tag, while the punks and general Code-violators (see: Sean Avery) get the pest label.
Agitators honor The Code. They are generally not big men, falling into a sort of middleweight category, but they will drop the gloves with anyone who deserves a good - ahem - talking to, and will stand up and take what's coming to them when they have done something worthy of a little retribution from their opponents. They do not take cheap, unnecessary runs at superstars or set out to hurt anybody. Rather, they simply send a message when one needs to be sent, which is typically either when their team is down and needs an emotional boost, or an opponent has done something unsavory to one of their teammates. Not dirty, not unsportsmanlike. You love them when they are on your team, and hate them when they play against you, but you respect the good ones, no matter who they play for. Honor, class, integrity. They are marked by a lot of fights, a lot of penalty minutes, a lot of missing teeth, a lot of unnatural angles to the bridges of their noses, and a lot of very enthusiastic fan support. And they wouldn't have it any other way.
Avalanche 1 - Coyotes 3
Ian Laperriere had one shot on goal and the highest face-off win percentage of the team as he won 7 of 12 faceoffs in his 14:14 of ice time against the Coyotes on Wednesday, December 31, 2008.