Ian Laperriere News and Photos
March 2007
Parker Will be Back in 'Office'
(from the Longmont Daily-Times Call, 3/1/07)
Ian Laperriere always smiles, but the grin on his face Wednesday was even bigger.
The Colorado Avalanche enforcer, who has the scars and crooked nose to attest to his role, was glad to give up his fighting duties to Scott Parker.
"The job Lappy did this year was appreciated by everyone," Avs coach Joel Quenneville said. "He was out there a lot of nights handling things on his own, the tough stuff..."
Avalanche 6 - Blackhawks 1
Ian Laperriere - 2 Assists
Ian tallied his 17th and 18th assists of the season in the third period as he pitched in on goals scored by Tyler Arnason and Ken Klee on March 1, 2007 in Chicago.
Avalanche 4 - Red Wings 3 (OT)
Ian Laperriere - 1 Assist
Lappy earned his 19th assist of the season on Tyler Arnason's second period goal as the Avs continued their roadtrip with a stop in Detroit on March 4, 2007.
Dropping the Gloves
(from the Greeley Tribune, 3/5/07)
Fighting isn't glamorous work, but it's a crucial element of hockey – even in today's NHL.
Occurring for several reasons – sticking up for the stud or changing the momentum, for example, Colorado's Ian Laperriere knows someone has to patrol the ice. Through Saturday's games, Laperriere has taken a league-high 15 major penalties...
Avalanche 2 - Bruins 0
The Colorado Avalanche's Ian Laperriere falls over Boston Bruins' goaltender Tim Thomas in the second period of their NHL hockey game in Boston, Massachusetts March 6, 2007. (REUTERS/Brian Snyder)
Avalanche 2 - Wild 3 (OT)
Ian Laperriere - 1 Goal
Colorado took a 2-1 lead midway through an exciting third period when Laperriere took a centering pass from Ben Guite and beat goaltender Niklas Backstrom on the stick side for his 6th goal of the season on March 11, 2007 in Minnesota.
Avalanche 3 - Flames 2
Ian Laperriere #14 of the Colorado Avalanche handles the puck against David Hale #21 of the Calgary Flames on March 14, 2007 at the Pepsi Center in Denver, Colorado. The Avalanche defeated the Flames, 3-2. (Photo by Brian Bahr/Getty Images Sport)
Avalanche 6 - Coyotes 3
Happy St. Patrick's Day from Phoenix!
(One of our photos from the game - March 17, 2007)
More of our photos from the game:
Lappy
Other Avs
Avalanche 4 - Sharks 3 (OT)
Colorado Avalanche right winger Ian Laperriere checks San Jose Sharks center Jonathan Cheechoo during the first period of a hockey game in Denver, Sunday, March 18, 2007.
(AP Photo/Jack Dempsey)
Sakic, Laperriere Lead Playoff Run
(from the Rocky Mountain News, 3/21/07)
One is a Hall-of-Fame shoe-in, the other simply wears shoes while visiting the Hall of Fame.
One is a quiet leader whose actions speak volumes, while the other is an energetic leader willing to speak at any volume.
One is a finesse player with a lethal scoring punch, the other scores points with his teammates by throwing an occasional punch...
Avalanche 5 - Oilers 1
Ian Laperriere - 2 Goals, Number 1 Star of the Game and
Number 3 Star of the NHL!!
Colorado Avalanche's Ian Laperriere and Edmonton Oilers' Zack Stortini fight during third period NHL hockey action in Edmonton, Wednesday, March 21, 2007. Both received minor penalties for roughing. (AP PHOTO/CP, Jason Scott)
French Kiss
(from tsn.ca's columnist Geno Reda, 3/22/07)
A plus goes to Ian Laperierre, who is cleary secure in his manhood.
After Tyler Arnason set him up for a beauty, Laperierre said thanks in his own special way, with a buss on the cheek.
"That was a French... not a french kiss, but a kiss from a French guy, you know?"
"You gotta take what you can get, I guess," said Arnason. "Yeah, we've been on the road a lot."
Avalanche 3 - Oilers 4 (SO)
Ian Laperriere - 1 Assist
On March 23, 2007, during the second game of a 2-game series in Edmonton, the Avalanche opened the scoring nine minutes into the first period as Ian Laperriere found Brad Richardson open at the left faceoff circle. With a pass from behind the net, Richardson sent a one-timer past goaltender Dwayne Roloson for a 1-0 lead. It was Laperriere's 20th assist of the season.
Avalanche 5 - Canucks 4 (SO)
Ian Laperriere - Fight vs. Jeff Cowan
Jeff Cowan of the Vancouver Canucks and Ian Laperriere of the Colorado Avalanche exchange punches as they fight during their NHL game at General Motors Place on March 25, 2007 in Vancouver, Canada. (Jeff Vinnick/Getty Images)
Ian Laperriere of the Colorado Avalanche falls to the ice after being punched by Jeff Cowan of the Vancouver Canucks as they fight during their NHL game at General Motors Place on March 25, 2007 in Vancouver, Canada. (Jeff Vinnick/Getty Images)
Fight Clip from hockeyfights.com
Congratulations!
(from the Rocky Mountain News, 3/27/07)
Avalanche players have nominated Ian Laperriere for the King Clancy Memorial Trophy, which is awarded by the Board of Governors to a player for leadership and for making a noteworthy humanitarian contribution to the community.
The late Frank "King" Clancy was an NHL player, coach, referee and executive and is in the Hockey Hall of Fame.
Avalanche 0 - Canucks 3
Vancouver Canucks defenseman Rory Fitzpatrick takes a shot as Colorado Avalanche right wing Ian Laperriere looks on during the second period of a hockey game in Denver on March 27, 2007. (AP Photo/Jack Dempsey)
From left, Colorado Avalanche defenseman Ken Klee, Brad Richardson, Ian Laperriere and Mark Rycroft hang their heads along with head coach Joel Quenneville and assistant coach Jacques Cloutier during the third period of a hockey game against the Vancouver Canucks in Denver, Tuesday, March 27, 2007. Vancouver beat Colorado 3-0. (AP Photo/Jack Dempsey)
Adrian Dater's Avs Mailbag
(from the Denver Post, 3/28/07)
Question: "How secure do you think Ian Laperriere is? He is a special player, and I don't think it would settle too well with the fans to see him go." --Stan, Pueblo, CO
"Stan – I think Lappy will be back next year. Let's face it, his numbers were down offensively, and that hurt the team in the first half of the season. But he had a lot of scoring chances. He was simply robbed on a lot of them. It was a real frustrating time for him. But through it all he kept battling and now he's scoring more, and of course his leadership has been great. He was their de facto fighter most of the year, too, and there is still a big place for that in the game. So, I think you'll see the Avs bring him back."
Injury Benches Laperriere
(from the Denver Post, 3/30/07)
It took until the end of March, in his second season, for Ian Laperriere to miss his first game with the Avalanche.
The veteran right wing was forced to sit for the first time as a member of the Avs on Thursday night against Phoenix with a groin injury. That broke an overall consecutive game streak of 162 for Laperriere, who had eight goals, 28 points and a team-leading 124 penalty minutes in 76 games.
Laperriere's place in the lineup was taken by Scott Parker.
--Adrian Dater
Avalanche 2 - Wild 1
One of our photos from the game