Ian Laperriere News and Photos
Stanley Cup Playoffs 2006
Western Conference Quarterfinals
Western Conference Quarterfinals - Game 1
Avalanche 5 - Stars 2
Colorado Avalanche's Ian Laperriere is lifted into the boards by Dallas Stars' Philippe Boucher during the third period of an NHL hockey playoff game Saturday, April 22, 2006, in Dallas. Colorado won 5-2. (AP Photo/LM Otero)
Avs' Ian Laperriere battles for the puck under pressure from Steve Ott.
(Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
Ian Laperriere of the Colorado Avalanche congratulates goaltender Jose Theodore after defeating the Dallas Stars. (Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
Western Conference Quarterfinals - Game 2
Avalanche 5 - Stars 4 (OT)
Colorado's Ian Laperriere gets tripped by Dallas' Phillippe Boucher in Game 2 of the Western Conference quarter finals at the American Airlines Center in Dallas, Texas April 24, 2006.
(UPI Photo/Ian Halperin)
Colorado Avalanche's Ian Laperriere, Brett Clark, Karlis Skrastins, Dan Hinote and other teammates mob John-Michael Liles after his slap shot was deflected into the net by Joe Sakic to give Colorado a 5-4 win over the Stars on Monday, April 24, 2006 in Dallas. (AP Photo/LM Otero)
Friendship On Hold During Postseason
(from the Dallas Morning News, 4/25/06)
Colorado forward Ian Laperriere has built his career on being abrasive. He doesn't change for anybody, even Stars defenseman Philippe Boucher, a close friend.
The two were teammates in Los Angeles. Laperriere stayed with Boucher and his family during the lockout, but that didn't stop Laperriere from leveling Boucher with a hard check in Game 1.
"He's a great man, but he's a great player on the other side, and I've got to make sure I'm under his skin," Laperriere said. "He knows that."
Friends and Enemies
(from the Rocky Mountain News, 4/25/06)
Avalanche forward Ian Laperriere and Stars defenseman Philippe Boucher are the best of friends, but they aren't talking much right now.
"We played juniors against each other, and I played with him nine years ago when I played in L.A.," Laperriere said. "He's a great man and he's a great player, but this is the playoffs... It's playoff time, and you have to hit whoever is out there. You just have to do it.
"You know what hockey players are known for: What's on the ice is on the ice and what's off the ice is off the ice. I can't let him do his things because he's one of my best friends. I have to finish my checks. He's going to do the same."
Spotlight on Ian Laperriere
(from the Denver Post, 4/26/06)
The Avalanche winger has a minus-3 in this series, but you can't put a figure on what he means to Colorado in the toughness and leadership departments.
He's the prototypical playoff-tested role player every team covets this time of year.
Laperriere, who does not wear a visor, took eight stitches above his left eye during Game 1 after being checked from behind and smashing into the glass.
--Mike Chambers, Denver Post Staff Writer
Western Conference Quarterfinals - Game 3
Avalanche 4 - Stars 3 (OT)
Ian Laperriere - 1 Assist
Colorado Avalanche Ian Laperriere celebrates teammate Alex Tanguay's winning goal against the Dallas Stars in overtime at the Pepsi Center in Denver April 26, 2006. Tanguay's shot went off Stars defenseman Willie Mitchell's skate past Stars goalie Marty Turco. Colorado beat Dallas 4-3 in overtime to take a 3-0 series lead. (UPI Photo/Gary C. Caskey)
Colorado Avalanche left winger Alex Tanguay celebrates his game-winning goal with right winger Ian Laperriere and center Brett McLean in the Avalanche's
4-3 overtime victory over the Dallas Stars in Game 3 of the teams' NHL Western Conference first-round playoff series in Denver on Wednesday, April 26, 2006.
The Avalanche have taken a 3-0 lead in the best-of-seven series.
(AP Photo/Jack Dempsey)
(Post/Kathryn Scott Osler)
Jason Arnott and Ian Laperriere (Photographed by David E. Klutho)
Jon Klemm and Ian Laperriere (Photographed by David E. Klutho)
Janne Niinimaa and Ian Laperriere (Photographed by David E. Klutho)
Ian Laperriere, Niklas Hagman, Karlis Skrastins and Niko Kapanen (Photographed by David E. Klutho)
Western Conference Quarterfinals - Game 4
Avalanche 1 - Stars 4
Sign seen at Pepsi Center during Game 4:
"I Think My Husband Has A Man Crush On #14 Laperriere"
Colorado Avalanche winger Ian Laperriere and Dallas Stars defenseman Stephane Robidas collide in the third period along the boards in game 4 of their Stanley Cup playoff series in Denver April 28, 2006. The Stars won the game 4-1 to stay alive in the series 3-1. (REUTERS/Rick Wilking)
Brenden Morrow and Ian Laperriere (Photographed by David E. Klutho)
Dallas Stars left wing Niklas Hagman celebrates his goal with Colorado Avalanche right wing Ian Laperriere skating dejectedly away in the second period during the first round playoffs game four at the Pepsi Center in Denver April 28, 2006. Hagman with two goals helped Dallas defeat Colorado 4-1. (UPI Photo/Gary C. Caskey)
One More On The Road
(from the Denver Post, 4/30/06)
"It's going to be a big challenge to go into their building and get another one," Avalanche right wing Ian Laperriere said. "But we have a good bunch of guys in this room, with a lot of character. We didn't play the way we wanted in Game 4, but you have to give them some credit, too. They played hard, played desperate, and we have to have the same attitude.
"We have to stay confident and focused," Laperriere said.
Western Conference Quarterfinals - Game 5
Avalanche 3 - Stars 2 (OT)
Ian Laperriere #14 of the Colorado Avalanche shakes hands with Mike Modano #9 of the Dallas Stars after game five of the Western Conference Quarterfinals of the 2006 NHL Playoffs on April 30, 2006 at the American Airlines Center in Dallas, Texas. The Avalanche defeated the Stars 3-2 in overtime to win the series 4-1. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)