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Sakic out for Wednesday’s Avalanche game

Pat Rooney, Special to the Rocky

Published December 4, 2007 at 4:14 p.m.
Updated December 4, 2007 at 4:14 p.m.

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Joe Sakic will miss his third consecutive game Wednesday because of a groin injury, but the Avalanche could receive good news on its lengthy injury report with the possible return of wing Ian Laperriere.

Laperriere practiced on Tuesday before the club flew to Columbus and reported no setbacks from the sprained right knee he suffered on Nov. 11.

“I’m close. I’m feeling better every day and that’s the goal,” Laperriere said. “We’ll see how I feel (Wednesday) and we’ll go from there. (Tuesday) was full-speed, but there is nothing like a game. My biggest test will be a game. If I feel 100 percent, I’ll be out there.”

Sakic did not practice on Tuesday, and Avalanche coach Joel Quenneville said, “hopefully we’ll have a clearer picture on the weekend what’s going to happen with him.”

BUDAJ TIME

After giving goaltender Jose Theodore the starting nod the past two games, Quenneville said Peter Budaj would return to the crease Wednesday for the first time since a loss at San Jose on Thursday. Budaj is 9-5 overall but has gone 2-2 in his past four starts, allowing 11 goals during that span.

Budaj turned in a solid effort in the Avalanche’s 5-1 win at home against Columbus on Oct. 13, stopping 24 of 25 shots.

ILLIN’

Left wing Andrew Brunette was hampered the past two games by a flu bug that has been working its way through the team. Brunette did not practice on Tuesday but was expected to rejoin the club for the flight to Columbus, where in all likelihood he will extend his games-played streak of 397 consecutive games, the third-longest current streak in the league.

Forward Scott Parker also has succumbed to the flu and did not make the trip.

“(Brunette) was so sick (Saturday at Los Angeles) that if there had been any healthy bodies, I think we wouldn’t have played him,” Quenneville said. “He did whatever he could do. I think he took about five 15-secod shifts . . . and did whatever he could. Obviously he felt better (Tuesday) and we expect him to progress for (tonight’s) game.”

ROAD WOES

With a 4-8-1 mark away from home, the Avalanche has produced one of the worst road marks in the league. Yet with wins in two of its past three road games, including a 5-2 win Saturday at Los Angeles, the club hopes it has turned a corner in its struggles away from the Pepsi Center heading into Wednesday’s match at Columbus.

“It’s a tough team to play against, especially on the road,” center Paul Stastny said. “We’ve just got to play it smart. You can’t play with as high of risks as you might want to, because they are such a good defensive team.”