Ian Laperriere News and Photos
February 2009
Avalanche 4 - Flames 3
Ian Laperriere - Fight vs. Mark Giordano and Third Star of the Game
Ian also tallied 9 hits in the Avs victory on Monday, February 2, 2009 at Pepsi Center.
He was named as the "Unsung Hero" of the game by the Calgary Sun:
"Ian Laperriere was his usual self, which is an excellent soldier. The gritty winger was energetic and physical, which gave the hosts the emotional lift they needed."
Calgary Flames goalie Miikka Kiprusoff makes a pad save of a shot off the stick of Colorado Avalanche right winger Ian Laperriere as Flames defenseman Robyn Regehr looks on in the third period of the Avalanche's 4-3 victory in an NHL hockey game in Denver on Monday, Feb. 2, 2009. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
Colorado Avalanche Ian Laperriere mixes it up with Calgary Flames Mark Giordano after Laperriere slammed him into the bench during the first period Monday, February 2, 2009 at Pepsi Center. They both went to the penalty box for fighting. (Photo by John Leyba/Denver Post)
Calgary Flames defenseman Mark Giordano is taken to the ice by Colorado Avalanche winger Ian Laperriere during a fight in the first period in their NHL hockey game in Denver February 2, 2009. (REUTERS/Rick Wilking)
(REUTERS/Rick Wilking)
Fight Clip from hockeyfights.com
Avalanche 3 - Stars 2
Ian Laperriere was credited with two hits in his 15:48 of ice time as the Avs closed out their 8-game homestand with a victory over the Stars on Thursday, February 5, 2009.
Avalanche 1 - Blues 4
Ian Laperriere - Fight vs. BJ Crombeen
Ian Laperriere of the Colorado Avalanche battles Keith Tkachuk of the St. Louis Blues for the loose puck on February 7, 2009 at Scottrade Center in St. Louis, Missouri.
(Photo by Mark Buckner/Getty Images)
Fight Clip from hockeyfights.com
Avalanche 0 - Blue Jackets 3
Ian Laperriere had three shots on goal, three hits and one blocked shot in Colorado's loss to Columbus on Tuesday, February 10, 2009.
Columbus Blue Jackets' Kris Russell and Colorado Avalanche's Ian Laperriere fight for a loose puck during the first period of an NHL hockey game Tuesday, Feb. 10, 2009, in Columbus, Ohio. (AP Photo/Jay LaPrete)
Laperriere talks about the ups and downs of the season for the Colorado Avalanche and how he enjoys giving back to the community.
(Pre-game Comments Courtesy of FOX Sports)
Watch the video here
Avalanche 2 - Wild 3
Ian Laperriere had one hit, one blocked shot and one takeaway in his 15:27 of ice time against the Wild on Wednesday, February 11, 2009.
Ian Laperriere of the Colorado Avalanche skates with the puck while being defended by Martin Skoula of the Minnesota Wild during the game at the Xcel Energy Center on February 11, 2009 in Saint Paul, Minnesota. (Photo by Bruce Kluckhohn/Getty Images)
Ian Laperriere of the Colorado Avalanche falls to the ice after colliding with Marek Zidlicky of the Minnesota Wild during the game at the Xcel Energy Center on February 11, 2009 in Saint Paul, Minnesota. (Photo by Bruce Kluckhohn/Getty Images)
Laperrière Souhaite Demeurer au Colorado
(Laperrière wishes to remain in Colorado)
(from Cyberpresse.ca, 2/13/09)
Ian Laperriere will become a free agent without compensation on July 1. His greatest desire? Staying in Colorado...
Read the translated version here
Avalanche 2 - Canadiens 4
Andrei Markov of the Montreal Canadiens takes a shot on goal as Ian Laperriere and Brett Clark defend for the Colorado Avalanche at the Pepsi Center on February 13, 2009 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Michael Martin/Getty Images)
(Post-game Comments Courtesy of Avalanche TV)
Watch the video here
Avalanche 6 - Red Wings 5 (SO)
Ian Laperriere - 1 Goal, 1 Assist
Ian Laperriere scored his sixth goal of the season and assisted on Ben Guite's goal in the Avs' shoot out win in Detroit on Sunday, February 15, 2009.
Ian's goal, scored 16 seconds into the game, was the fastest allowed by Detroit this season.
Video of the Goal from nhl.com
Colorado Avalanche forward Ian Laperriere celebrates with teammates after assisting on a goal by Ben Guite during the third period of an NHL hockey game against the Detroit Red Wings in Detroit, Sunday, Feb. 15, 2009. (AP Photo/Carlos Osorio)
Colorado Avalanche defenseman Ruslan Salei is congratulated by forwards Ian Laperriere and Cody McCormick after his goal in the second period of an NHL hockey game against the Detroit Red Wings in Detroit, Sunday, Feb. 15, 2009. (AP Photo/Carlos Osorio)
Detroit Red Wings goalie Chris Osgood can't stop a goal by Colorado Avalanche forward Ian Laperriere during the first period of an NHL hockey game in Detroit, Sunday, Feb. 15, 2009. (AP Photo/Carlos Osorio)
Avalanche 3 - Senators 2 (OT)
Ian Laperriere - 1 Goal, 2nd Star of the Game
Ian Laperriere scored his seventh goal of the season as the Avalanche defeated the Senators Tuesday, February 17, 2009. Lappy has scored goals in two straight games.
Video of the Goal from nhl.com
Colorado Avalanche's Ian Laperriere celebrates his goal against the Ottawa Senators with Ben Guite during their NHL hockey game in Denver, Colorado February 17, 2009.
(REUTERS/Mark Leffingwell)
Members of the Colorado Avalanche celebrate Ian Laperriere's goal against the Ottawa Senators at the Pepsi Center on February 17, 2009 in Denver, Colorado.
(Photo by Michael Martin/Getty Images)
(Post-game Comments Courtesy of Avalanche TV)
Watch the video here
Setting the Tone
Laperriere-Guite-McCormick Line Providing a Spark
(from the Official Site of the Colorado Avalanche, 2/17/09)
They've been dazzling offensively, solid in their own end and have set the tone for the Avalanche in the club's past two games.
While that description might often apply to the combination of Ryan Smyth, Wojtek Wolski and Milan Hejduk, in this case it refers to Colorado's line of Ian Laperriere, Ben Guite and Cody McCormick.
On Sunday, the trio put on a show in a 6-5 win over the defending Stanley Cup champion Detroit Red Wings, with Laperriere scoring just 16 seconds into the contest off a feed from McCormick and Guite adding his third tally of the season in the third period, with assists going to his linemates.
It was more of the same Tuesday night against the Ottawa Senators, as Colorado's first tally started with Guite making a feed from the Avs' defensive zone to McCormick. The winger then put a shot on net from just inside the blue line that was tipped home by Laperriere at the 17:05 mark of the first period.
McCormick nearly set up another Laperriere tally three minutes into the middle frame after stealing the puck from Mike Fisher and sending a feed across the crease to the Avalanche assistant captain. Ottawa netminder Alex Auld was able to recover in time and just got a piece of the attempt with his blocker.
"These points are important," said Laperriere. "They came in 5-0 in their last five games and we had to be ready and we were."
Over the past two games, the Laperriere-Guite-McCormick line has accounted for 9 points (3g/6a).
Avalanche 4 - Capitals 1
Ian Laperriere logged 15:25 of ice time, and had 1 blocked shot and 4 take-aways as Colorado defeated Washington on Friday, February 20, 2009.
(Photo from capitals.nhl.com)
Avalanche 2 - Hurricanes 5
Ian Laperriere had 2 blocked shots and 1 hit in his 17:08 of ice time as Colorado fell to Carolina on Sunday, February 22, 2009.
The Canes' Ray Whitney passes the puck past Colorado's Ian Laperriere to set up teammate Matt Cullen. (Photo by Chris Seward/The News & Observer)
Should Lappy come back, or be dealt for a prospect?
(from Dater's Blog: All Things Avs - Denver Post, 2/22/09)
"I'll have a brief story in tomorrow's paper about Ian Laperriere and his tenuous situation with the Avalanche. Basically, talks have been going on regarding a contract extension, but the parties aren't real close on the numbers. Consequently, the Avs may deal Lappy by March 4."
Read the rest here
Laperriere Still Looking For Contract Extension
(from the Denver Post, 2/23/09)
Negotiations have been ongoing between Ian Laperriere and Avalanche management toward a contract extension. But no agreement has been reached, and Laperriere is aware he could be dealt to another team by the NHL's March 4 trade deadline if one can't be made.
Read the rest here
Avalanche 3 - Thrashers 4
Ian Laperriere had 2 blocked shots, 2 takeaways and 1 hit as Atlanta defeated Colorado on Tuesday, February 24, 2009.
Atlanta Thrashers defenseman Niclas Havelid vies for the puck against Colorado Avalanche right wing Ian Laperriere during the first period of an NHL hockey game Tuesday, Feb. 24, 2009 in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Gregory Smith)
Fans Happy With Lappy
(from the Denver Post, 2/25/09)
Darcy Tucker could very well be back with the Avalanche next season, and the Avs will pay him $2.3 million if that's the case. Ian Laperriere is making less than half of that, and he very well might not be back next season...
Read the rest here
Avalanche 0 - Devils 4
Ian Laperriere - Fight vs. David Clarkson
Laperriere's fighting penalty in the second period pushed him over 100 minutes in penalties for the fourth straight year and the 12th time in his career overall.
Colin White of the New Jersey Devils throws a check against Ian Laperriere of the Colorado Avalanche at the Prudential Center February 26, 2009 in Newark, New Jersey.
(Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images)
New Jersey Devils' David Clarkson fights with Colorado Avalanche's Ian Laperriere during the second period of an NHL hockey game, Thursday, Feb. 26, 2009, in Newark, N.J.
(AP Photo/Bill Kostroun)
David Clarkson of the New Jersey Devils throws a punch against Ian Laperriere of the Colorado Avalanche at the Prudential Center February 26, 2009 in Newark, New Jersey.
(Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images)
Fight Clip from hockeyfights.com
Lappy's Thoughts As Trade Deadline Nears
"I'm preparing myself to stay and I'm preparing myself to get traded," he said. "I'm preparing myself for both. I want to stay here, that's no secret... The good news is we only have a couple more days to wait. Hopefully, I'll be here after the trading deadline, but I have no control over that."
(Denver Post, 2/28/09)
Avalanche 1 - Rangers 6
Ian Laperriere had 2 hits, 1 blocked shot, 1 takeaway and he racked up 12 penalty minutes as the Rangers defeated the Avs on Saturday, February 28, 2009.
Ian Laperriere #14 of the Colorado Avalanche leaves the ice after being hit with a stick against the New York Rangers during their game on February 28, 2009 at Madison Square Garden in New York City. (Photo by Chris McGrath/Getty Images)
Wade Redden of the New York Rangers contests the puck with Ian Laperriere and Chris Stewart of the Colorado Avalanche during their game on February 28, 2009 at Madison Square Garden in New York City. (Photo by Chris McGrath/Getty Images)
Players fight during the game between the New York Rangers and the Colorado Avalanche on February 28, 2009 at Madison Square Garden in New York City.
(Photo by Chris McGrath/Getty Images)
Referees try to break up a fight between the New York Rangers and the Colorado Avalanche during the third period of a NHL hockey game Saturday, Feb. 28, 2009 in New York. The Rangers won the game 6-1. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)