Return is in, and Forsberg is winner

Liles scores rare goal as Colorado climbs to seventh

By Rick Sadowski, Rocky Mountain News (Contact)

Published March 4, 2008 at 10:57 a.m.

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Photo by Dennis Schroeder

Peter Forsberg, shown taking the ice for his season debut last Tuesday, might return to the ice Thursday vs. Edmonton.

He didn't score a goal or collect an assist, but Peter Forsberg also didn't play like someone who hadn't appeared in a game since last spring.

Just the fact "Foppa" is back in an Avalanche uniform was enough to generate a buzz from the crowd of 17,621 at the Pepsi Center when he took his first shift alongside Joe Sakic and Milan Hejduk 28 seconds into Tuesday night's game.

Forsberg was given a standing ovation and fans got excited just about each time he touched the puck or mixed it up with one of the Vancouver Canucks during his 19:57 of ice time, which was a little more than he expected.

The 34-year-old forward was touched by the reception and especially pleased with the Avalanche's 2-1 win, its fourth victory in a row.

"It felt OK, I have to say, not bad and not good," Forsberg said of his play. "I just have to get used to the tempo. It's pretty quick out there and it's going to take a while to get totally into it. Definitely, it's going to get better. It's been 101/2 months since I played in a real game.

"But it's great to be back. I had such a good time here before and it's a thrill for me to put on the jersey and to be out there playing.

"Just to be back in Denver. . . . I smile every morning when I wake up."

The Avalanche needed 26 saves from goalie Jose Theodore, including one against Markus Naslund with 2 seconds remaining, and a power-play goal at 2:27 of the third period from snakebitten defenseman John-Michael Liles - his first goal since Nov. 9 against the Canucks - to pull ahead of Vancouver into seventh place in the Western Conference.

Liles' goal broke the Avalanche's 0-for-16 slump on power plays covering parts of five home games, along with a 1-1 tie.

"I saw a lane and just tried to shoot it as hard as possible," Liles said. "Their guy kind of laid down and I was trying to get it up a little bit and it just nicked off his skate, I think, and went in.

"Relief? Yeah, but then you have to curb the emotions. You have to settle it back down a little bit."

The Avalanche had to kill off two Canucks power plays to keep the lead before Theodore made his big stop against Naslund after Vancouver pulled goalie Roberto Luongo for an extra skater in the final minute.

"When I saw him all alone, I just wanted to challenge him," Theodore said. "I know he likes to (shoot) high and when he's close like that it's tougher to react, so I wanted to challenge him as quick as I could."

Said coach Joel Quenneville: "Great save by Jose. Very timely. (The puck) was in the wrong hands at the wrong time."

The Avalanche seemed dangerous any time Forsberg got his stick on the puck.

"I thought for the first game Pete was great to play with," Sakic said. "I thought it went pretty well for the first game. Peter generates a lot of attention from the other team and creates a lot of room for everybody."

But Forsberg's standards are so high, a hat trick might not have satisfied him.

"It's going to be a little struggle here in the beginning, for the first couple games," he said. "I hope people understand that, that it's been a while since I played. But overall, in the first two periods, our line had some chances and we were in their zone. We played most of the time against their top line, too.

"So I thought we did OK. Hopefully, it can get better and we can score a couple goals in the next game."

Forsberg was better than that, according to Luongo.

"He played a great game," said Luongo, who had 29 saves. "He didn't seem too rusty. I made a few saves on him.

"Not only did he have some shots, but he made some very good passing plays and created scoring chances for the other guys, too."

The Avalanche took a 1-0 lead in the first period on Paul Stastny's 20th goal of the season. It came at 9:12 off a pass from Wojtek Wolski, who was back in the lineup after being scratched two games in a row and for three of the previous five.

Avalanche 2, Canucks 1

Vancouver0 1 0 - 1

Colorado1 0 1 - 2

First period - 1, Col, Stastny 20 (Wolski, Brunette), 9:12. Penalties - Hannan, Col, major (fighting), :28; Burrows, Van, major (fighting), :28; Naslund, Van (hooking), 4:04.

Second period - 2, Van, Shannon 4 (Salo, H. Sedin), 18:58 (pp). Penalties - Rypien, Van, major (fighting), :02; McLeod, Col, major (fighting), :02; Van bench, served by Shannon (too many men), 1:43; Brunette, Col, (broken stick), 11:58; Burrows, Van (roughing), 15:13; Foote, Col, (hooking), 17:57.

Third period - 3, Col, Liles 3 (Brunette, Arnason), 2:27 (pp). Penalties - H. Sedin, Van (hooking), :59; Theodore, Col, served by Wolski (delay of game), 11:07; Ohlund, Van (tripping), 12:28; Foote, Col, (hooking), 14:51.

Shots - Van 9-8-10 - 27. Col 11-13-7 - 31. Power plays - Van 1 of 4; Col 1 of 5. Goalies - Van, Luongo 28-20-9 (31 shots-29 saves). Col, Theodore 20-17-2 (27-26). A - 17,621 (18,007). T - 2:23. Referees - Tim Peel, Chris Rooney. Linesmen - Mike Cvik, Don Henderson.

NUMBERS GAME

49 games without a goal for defenseman John-Michael Liles before he scored the winner in the third period.

SCARY MOMENTS

The Avalanche got a brief scare at 11:40 of the second period when goalie Jose Theodore went down after taking a hit on the head by the knee or leg of Vancouver's Matt Pettinger, who skated through the goal mouth.

"I made that save to my left and I never saw him coming," Theodore said. "It kind of snapped my neck. I felt it right away and I kind of blacked out a little bit. I didn't want to get up and take a chance because I was a little wobbly. I took the extra couple of seconds and the trainer came. When I felt better I got up and everything was good."

ILLEGAL PASS

Andrew Brunette was assessed an unusual penalty - throwing his stick - at 11:58 of the second period. Brunette tossed his stick to defenseman Ruslan Salei, who caught it after he broke his stick and dropped it.

The Canucks didn't score on the ensuing power play.

"I was going to hand it to him, but it looked like the puck was going back there and I wanted to make sure he had a stick," Brunette said. "I didn't realize that was a penalty. Maybe it was because the distance traveled was longer than normal. Hey, he caught it and played it pretty good."

HE SAID IT

"It was great, a big moment for me."

Peter Forsberg, Avalanche forward, on the standing ovation he received when he took his first shift.

• March 4, 2008

  12:38 p.m.

  Suggest removal

  Kslayer writes:

  Seems like Forsberg is nervouse because he is afraid to dissapoint all of us Avs fans. You can hear it through all of his comments about being ready, and having patience. Even if he has a bad game, I think we are all just glade to see him back. Don't stress Foppa. We are just glad your home!

• March 4, 2008

  1:20 p.m.

  Suggest removal

  princess writes:

  WOOOOOO HOOOOOO I can't wait. Even if we lose and he doesn't play the best game of his life it will be OK. Welcome home Foppa can't wait to see you play!!!!!

• March 4, 2008

  4:51 p.m.

  Suggest removal

  R8R_H8R writes:

  Forsberg has been out with injury, not played in a long time, and has 2? practices here with the Avs. Because he is no where close to being in 'game-shape' I think this is a high risk-low reward scenario. Without alot of work out time, athletes tend to end up with a pulled hammy, or a groin pull, and then miss the rest of the season. I think he is returning due to pressure from the fans, and should not return for another week yet.

• March 5, 2008

  6:05 a.m.

  Suggest removal

  nmbronco1 writes:

  Fosberg looked very good last night, not at all like someone who hasn't played all season. His passing was crisp, stick work great as usual, and his presence obvious. I'm very glad he's back here with the Avs where he belongs!

• March 5, 2008

  8:12 a.m.

  Suggest removal

  boydy2669 writes:

  Foppa at 50% is better than most of the palyers in the NHL at 100%. He looked good and will only get better.
  Go Avs!

• March 5, 2008

  9 a.m.

  Suggest removal

  T1anda writes:

  Last night is the first time I have watched the AVs in a LONG time! Love Joe S. and Milan..but, am happy,happy,happy to see the return of Forsberg, and Foote!!!

• March 5, 2008

  9:42 a.m.

  Suggest removal

  mark79trans writes:

  Posted by T1anda on March 5, 2008 at 9 a.m. (Suggest removal)

  Last night is the first time I have watched the AVs in a LONG time! Love Joe S. and Milan..but, am happy,happy,happy to see the return of Forsberg, and Foote!!!

  I second that...first game I watched since the strike. It was a fun night!

• March 5, 2008

  1:37 p.m.

  Suggest removal

  queenjacyln writes:

  It makes me a little sad to read that some Avs fans have not watched the team in years. I've said all year that this team needs real support from this town and I wish it wasn't just the return of some familiar faces that did the trick. However, any reason to turn on or attend an Avs game is a good one and I hope that passion will be rekindled and is not contingent on who from the glory years is back on ice.

  I thought last night's game was fantastic. It was exciting from start to finish. The Avs played really well and Forsberg looked great. I never expected him to get a hat trick or put 10 shots on net even. But its clear that when he is on the ice he changes the game and he makes his linemates even better. Thats all we can ask for and Forsberg sure delivered.

• March 5, 2008

  3:17 p.m.

  Suggest removal

  hambone13 writes:

  I've been a fan since the Avs come to town and had watched about 10 games so far this year but wasn't impressed by the intensity of play. After watching what Peter does to elevate that intensity was awesome.

  For a player to not have played in that long and look as crisp and in control as he did was very impressive. I think more young players need to watch more tape on him and his intensity. He comes out to play every time he is on the ice. We just don't see that enough. I have to mention Foote in the same statement, I believe he contributes in this respect as well. Welcome back Foppa. Glad you got the reception you deserve.

• March 5, 2008

  4:33 p.m.

  Suggest removal

  Srixon writes:

  Here in Sweden we respect Peter Forsberg not only for his greatness on the ice, but for his down to earth and very humble way of conducting himself. In my,(and whole lot of my fellow contrymens), way on looking upon Foppa, he is truly the greatest athlet we ever produced. And still he doesn´t seem to recognize himself as the superstar he is, he´s just the regular guy, in his own mind... Since I´m born (and lieved a big part of my life) just an hour from his hometown, I know the town and the people pretty well, it´s just impossible to get anybody to say anything bad about him. He is a total hero there and the people refer to their town as "Foppaland".. ;)
  And Kslayer, you are totally right, since he allways talks about how much he loves Denver and the people their, he´s nervous to dissapoint you guys..
  Take care of the great #21. The only "bad" about this is that we all will be tired at work from now on.. The games are on usually around 3 to 4 a´clock in the night/morning..

• March 5, 2008

  8:43 p.m.

  Suggest removal

  queenjacyln writes:

  Thanks for commenting Srixon. We forget how special it is for those who live in Sweden to see Foppa play again. Just know we in Denver are there cheering Forsberg and the Avs on with you!

• March 5, 2008

  9:14 p.m.

  Suggest removal

  GJrodburner writes:

  The real test for all of the Aves, not just Adam Foote and Peter Forsberg, will be tomorrow night at home against the Ducks. Still, the ovation, the emotion, the play out on the ice by Peter was far better than I thought possible!

  As I watched each one of his shifts unfold, I didn't feel like he was re-living old emotions but was experiencing what it is to go back where you started, and do it against the standards he set, not what anyone else has set. Scott Burnside who writes for ESPN made a relevant point in how the only person that Peter has to impress is himself because of the previous legacy he built the first time around with Colorado. The way Peter stopped, started, moved with the puck and without the puck, his ability to take a hit and to give one made me relax about how that ankle really would hold up to N.H.L. play; especially against a bunch of cheeky-wankers like the Scanucks! Whereas I can hold dignity and disdain in even amounts for the Redwings, I will never give Vancouver an even break as a team, organization, or city. Todd Bertuzzi ruined that along with Marc Crawford and the G.M. Brian Burke (now with the Ducks!).

  Where the current homestand takes on significance will be tomorrow and then again on Saturday against Dallas. With the season almost over, how you stack up against the best teams within the conference is very critical now. The Aves have been close against the Ducks, but seem to lose in the final minutes. Reminds me of what used to happen to us when we were playing the Stars in the W.C.F. back in the late 90's. Where the re-signing of Peter and Adam will work for us might be in their respective recall of what happened to them and Joe Sakic in those close losses to the Stars from years past, and relay the intangibles of extended corners, and passing acurately through the neutral zone, and taking a hit without retaliation, and giving that information along with their personal insights as to how certain on-ice situations need to handled to the younger players and the other new faces brought in earlier this season. I'd like to think that type of experience can and will pay off when crunch time occurs during the current homestand and can be parlayed to more important wins during the playoffs. Now the season gets really interesting!

• March 6, 2008

  3:59 p.m.

  Suggest removal

  trekers writes:

  Srixon thanx for your comment & for sharing Foppa with us! We've missed him so & glad he's back "home" where he belongs when playing in the NHL! We've been AVs fans since the beginning from every training camp, game, drinks with them @ Gov;s & Chop House with Ricci etc. Now we've relocated to the great northwest & find ourselves in Canucks land but our hearts & TV is tuned to the AVs every game possible. Were up in Vancouver for lunch the other day wearing our AVs jackets etc & meeting up with smiles & conversations from Stanley Park to Granville Island! God bless our AVs & the management for making things right again!

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