Avalanche defensemen relishing role as reliables

Pat Rooney, Special to the News

Published April 26, 2006 at midnight

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Brett Clark and his fellow blue-liners are on a mission.

After turning in one of the most prolific scoring performances in franchise history, the Colorado Avalanche defensive corps knew much of their team's postseason success would hinge upon that production continuing through the grind of the NHL playoffs.

So far, so good.

The Avalanche will take a 2-0 series lead into tonight's Game 3 against the Dallas Stars, and a big reason behind the two-game edge has been the scoring punch provided by the Colorado defensemen.

"It has been a very big key," Clark said. "As a defense, we want to contribute when we can. If we get goals, it's a bonus for our team because

we've got a very good offense up front with skilled guys. Whenever a 'D'-man can contribute, it is a big relief off their back, and they can just go play."

Perhaps no defenseman made a bigger contribution through the first two games than Clark, whose short-handed goal with 2 minutes, 4 seconds remaining in regulation sent Game 2 into overtime, where the Avalanche won after Joe Sakic tipped a heavy line-drive shot by defenseman John-Michael Liles.

Clark also scored a goal in Game 1 in his NHL postseason debut.

"We have a very active defense, and it is tough for teams because they have to respect our forwards a lot," Clark said. "You give them a chance, they are going to score. And with the 'D' jumping in, it makes it a lot harder for them."

Avalanche defensemen accounted for 52 goals during the regular season, tying the Detroit Red Wings for the most in the league. They also recorded 204 points, the second- best total in franchise history, and that production has not waned thus far in the postseason.

Of Colorado's 10 goals against Dallas, five have been scored by defensemen. Rob Blake has matched Clark with two goals and also added an assist on Andrew Brunette's first-period goal in Game 2.

Liles also contributed a goal in Game 1.

"Especially in the playoffs, it's so tight as a forward you always have a guy on you," right wing Ian Laperriere said. "When you got the 'D' joining the rush, it kind of opens up things. All those guys have been playing great offensively."

The offensive spark provided by the Avalanche blue-liners has taken pressure off the team's versatile array of forwards. Before the series, it would have been easy to believe the Avalanche would be in trouble if Alex Tanguay, Laperriere, and Antti Laaksonen - who combined for 66 goals during the regular season - failed to find the net during the first two games.

Yet despite that trio collecting only a Laaksonen assist, the Avalanche offense has managed to score five goals in each game mostly because of the offensive exploits of the defensemen.

"All of the sudden, you see someone who comes in the slot, it creates movement and everyone has to pay attention to the defensemen that join the play," center Pierre Turgeon said. "It helps us, especially when we have a two-on-two or a three--on- three, and all of the sudden, you see a defenseman join the play, it helps us. But you have to make sure you can't just force the play so you have a two-on-one on the other side."

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