Lappy vs. Boogey?
Posted on April 7th, 2008 – 4:35 PMBy Michael Russo
The short answer: Not on your life.
FYI, Kent just blogged below here with a Wild practice update, so be sure to check his out, too. Also, just released local TV schedule is on the bottom of this blog entry.
Went over to Centennial, Colo., to the Avs’ practice facility today and gathered enough material for this series to go two rounds.
I know this is going to be considered blasphemy to say because I know emotions are running hot inside Russoville, but I was able to catch up with tough-guy and accomplished actor Ian Laperriere (he played Boom Boom Geoffrion in the movie, “The Rocket”) after practice, and like usual, he was one of the great interviews in the biz.
I got the man known as ‘Lappy’ (see website dedicated to him) all to myself about his brouhaha with noted bruiser Marian Gaborik — as play-by-play man Dan Terhaar humorously pointed out, Laperriere must not have been able to find Pierre-Marc Bouchard - and I asked him point-blank, “You think you’re going to have to fight Boogaard to calm the waters?”
Laperriere: “I won’t fight Boogaard. He knows that.”
He then had some real interesting stuff to say, as you’ll read in tomorrow’s Strib.
– Peter Forsberg (groin, really his feet, shhhhh, don’t tell anybody) and Adam Foote (hip, really his hip) didn’t practice today, but Forsberg says he plans to practice Tuesday and coach Joel Quenneville said Foote and Forsberg will both play Wednesday.
– Lots of talk today about coach Jacques Lemaire’s pointed comments that the Wild will be able to get chances against the Avs because they cheat. Everybody said it’s imperative they tighten up and play a patient game similar to the Wild’s.
– I understand from emails and blog comments that Avs fans are talking about the Wild’s style on message boards, referring to their neutral-zone trap and how they suck the life out of games and yada, yada, yada.
Well, guess what. Pop in a video. The Wild and Avs play essentially the same system when they don’t have the puck. Almost identical in fact, so much so that when we were in Edmonton a few weeks ago, coach Craig MacTavish basically said he didn’t watch any video of the Wild because the Oilers had just played the Avalanche, so his players were prepared for the Minnesota system. And if I remember correctly, the Oilers jumped out to a 3-0 lead by cutting the Wild off at center-ice and going the other way.
– Every Avs player is going in with the attitude that they’re the underdog. It was almost like they were all handed talking points or something because every player uttered the same thing.
But lets be honest. This might be the most evenly-matched series in the West. The Avs won 44 games — the same as the Wild. The Avs are on a 13-5-1 streak since picking up Forsberg, Foote and Ruslan Salei. And the Avs have tons and tons of starpower — top two lines have Forsberg, Sakic, Hejduk (former 50-goal scorer), Stastny, Brunette, Wolski.
Ryan Smyth is a checker on this team!
This should be one good series.
Some TV news: All VERSUS games will be blacked out locally.
Game 1: Ch. 45
Game 2: FSN North
Game 3: Ch. 45
Game 4: FSN North
Game 5: Ch. 45
Game 6: FSN
Game 7: Ch. 45
* Games 5-7 if necessary, obviously.
65 Responses to "Lappy vs. Boogey?"
Lappy won’t fight boogaard but he sure will fight Gaby….. What a punk… I’m glad he is a AV and not on our team.
Lappy better get a b!tch slappy from Boogy!
Lappy shouldn’t be given any choice..either him or Sakic and Forsberg get run
Eh, I’m already bored with this Lappy thing. I wouldn’t mind our tough guys “agitating” him a little and see if we can draw a penalty. Of course, if he continues to mix it up with Gabby or other skill guys, then a different story.
Couldn’t agree more that this is an evenly-matched series.
Hey, Lappy would certainly be vote “most exciting player” if he played in Vancover. 
Since we won the division, of course then can claim underdog + it lowers expectations for their team..less pressure
hockeydad..that is HERESY boy..bite your tongue! It’s not like we get to see Boogie and godard mix it up so Lappy will have to do.
He may not fight Boogaard, but I’m sure Fedoruk will make it a point to re-introduce himself Wednesday night…’remember ME? I’m the guy that wasn’t on the ice at the end of the last game!’
As I said in an earlier thread, enjoy your Wednesday pre-game meal, Ian. You might not be eating solid food for a while…
sorry to re-post, but i got caught between servings:
MN_in_AL — not sure if anybody got back to you, but the Old Pro bar in Palo Alto is a good place to catch a hockey game. i think it’s off Ramona near University. i saw a Wild/Ducks game and a SJ playoff game there last year. i’m not sure how many people were really watching, but the games are on, it’s a big bar, good beer menu, and about as un-Palo Alto as you can get in Palo Alto…
anyone know what the HD situation is for the games? I dont really care about the home games but the road games?
I don’t see any need to fight Lappy. What I do see a need for, however, is for the Wild to use their size and toughness to their advantage. The Avs are a fragile team. They can put out all three of their big guys. Simon and Fedoruk aren’t exactly liabilities, and while the Avs think they want to see Boogaard… I really don’t think so. Should be noted that Boogaard and Parker have never gone, at least I don’t think so. That would be a pretty good one IMO.
“You need to go out and see the real world!”
“But this is HD TV. It’s got better resolution than the real world.”
Well, guess what. Pop in a video. The Wild and Avs play essentially the same system when they don’t have the puck. Almost identical in fact, so much so that when we were in Edmonton a few weeks ago, coach Craig MacTavish basically said he didn’t watch any video of the Wild because the Oilers had just played the Avalanche, so his players were prepared for the Minnesota system. And if I remember correctly, the Oilers jumped out to a 3-0 lead by cutting the Wild off at center-ice and going the other way.
Thanks Russo! I’d just like to point out that I made this same observation a few days ago in the comments… Yay me. 
And, IMO, forcing the Avs to dress Parker… that’s a win.
Mankato will have the games on Channel 14 or 18, which is good news.
i think the question is can Foppa play that many games in a row on his bad wheels?
Lappy is a pussy and needs to be dealt with. It is a matter of sticking up for our top guys. I would love to see Simon clock him.
I find it amusing that the Avs are trying to play the “underdog” card here. every talking head on TV that I’ve heard has picked the Avs to win this series. heh
and what really killed me on Thursday was that insanely boring stretch in the first period last Thursday vs the Flames… a couple times when the Wild had the puck in their own end, I noticed ALL FIVE Flames skaters in the neutral zone. ZERO forecheckers. unreal.
and Floppa can suck it. the Divealanche paper (Denver Post) was all worried about Floppa playing back-to-back games, oh poor Diveberg. blah blah blah!
THe Agedlanche will have trouble with the back-to-back on Mon-Tues.
Inglewood ‘Chainsaw’ Jack will be ready for Diveberg. He MANhandled him last time he was at the X.
Lappy…go lay down by your dish. someone will beat you down like the old dog you are.
Thank god I have a Canadian Satelite dish! TSN will be showing every game of the Wild series in HD!
I’m not as versed in the whole code thing as others here, but it seems to me that if a tough guy like Lappy picks a fight with a skill player like Gabby at the end of OT in a meaningless game and then flat out says he is afraid to fight Boogaard, isn’t he pretty much saying “I’m a pussy”?
Help me out here.
I predict Veilleux takes him down.
anyone have any info about a CI feed for the games? I don’t have VS out here and will flip some sh!t if I get screwed out of watching the effin playoffs.
That’s a good question there jimlove. I haven’t yet looked to see if the games have shown up on my guide, but I was just thinking that I hope CI is carrying the local feeds as well as VS since they seem to have scheduled the early and late games with some overlap. Anyone figured that one out yet?
Wow….I better make sure to keep my screen name straight around here.
Please don’t confuse my presence here with the guy who’s nose has more turns than a Formula 1 circuit.
Was in Chicago this past weekend so I missed the Flames clincher, heard the Avs game driving back through Wiscy.
On to the current points…Earlier this year I discussed my annoyance with the Wilds “Trap” stigma by uninformed “experts/writers” (no offense Mr. Russo)
I refrenced an article (link below) written by Darren Elliot on si.com about the Wild’s team identity. He concedes the obvious. The Wild trap. But he makes a very important point, that is the way they play WITHOUT the puck. Just like Mr. Russo said, many other teams throughout the league deploy a trap in way or another. What seperates Minnesota from those other teams is their speed, and ability to play within a proven & effective system that brings them obvious success.
Anytime I hear or read someone’s writings about the Wild trap, I know their hockey IQ is low and they don’t pay attention to any system of defense played by opposing teams night and night out. Bottom line is they recycle an old cliche and obviously don’t take the time write informed, original thoughts.
http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2007/writers/darren_eliot/10/22/team.identity/index.html
Good old Wally realizes that Lappy wont fight Boogy. Boogy will get back at him in other ways. The team (Avs) has to responsible for Mister Lappys behavior, which is safe to say his coach is fine with.
Boogy is a dangerous player when he is on the ice. His checking is scary, he hurts more people with his hitting then anyone I have seen playing in the NHL. Boogy has two different levels of checking level (1) the kind that can hurt players level (2) his normal checking
When he hits at level 1 - its against teams that are hassling the Wilds skill players- Teams that play with respect against the Wild see Boogy at level 2 hitting
I cant agree more Wally, you are a genius ! Colorado will see Boogy at your level 2 description becasue they showed disrespect to Gabby
Fans need to realize, and so does Lappy, that its not about fighting that Colorado should be worried about, Its Boogies level 2 hitting which is saved for behavior such as Lappys and the teams the Lappys of the league play for. The Beaver Rocks !!
BREAKING NEWS: And NOT Good News Either.
Nick Schultz underwent a successful appendectomy this evening at a local hospital. Schultz is resting comfortably and his status will be updated when more information becomes available.
This is not good for us.
From Kevin Falness of Wild Radio.
It is April, but way past the 1st…
Yikes!
so, apparently 7 minutes is all it takes for GoW to find a phone booth and turn into “Beaver”.
ha, this is so funny to see all the little wannabe hockey fans from “the state of hockey” crying like a bunch of girlscouts over the treatment of maryanne. he tried to get physical with lappy at the end and he got embarrassed. i was laughing my head off that maryanne could be so stupid as to think he was going to be able to stand up to lappy. it’s also funny the way all these Mild fans are saying we barely got in the playoffs and we were lucky to get in when you consider the fact that you won the div. by 3 points, numbnuts. good job finally getting around to clinching it 5 days ago, way to really lock it up, but you guys are definitely cup contenders. lol. anyways, this is going to be a great series and i’m psyched to watch it. just know that when you bounce out in the first or second round this year, that you will still only be remembered for Fargo, cheese curds, Jesse the Body Ventura (good call by the way), obesity, and “Coach”. we’re remembered for STANLEY CUPS!!!! later, South Canada!!! GO SCREAMING EAGLES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Cheese curds? I don’t remember no cheese curds.
Joe, can you say sweep !
yikes…joe, congratulations. I mean you must have put in some really good behavior to warrant computer time instead of yard time.
Don’t bend over for the soap, pal.
At least Gabby dropped th gloves, which lappy has admitted he is too afraid to do against Boogard.
But you guys are all class. Really.
Please tell me you’re joking sunshine.
So we got no Foster for the rest of the season and no Schultz for this series at least… That leaves… eh, whatever. Inglewood can play 40 minutes a night, right?
If this is true about Schultz it is not good news.
wow…Falness has it pinned as a thread on the boards at wild.com.
Russo or #2, can you please confirm this?
sunshine’s not joking.
I am not. Russo just put something up.
BTW: that thread is here
We got Burns, Carns, Hill, Johnsson, Skoula, Nummelin… Am I missing anyone? Beuler? Beuler?
DADGUMMIT!!!!
joe…
Are these random thoughts or did you get your mommy to write the post for you?
What any intelligent hockey fan will tell you is ‘Lappy’ made a bush league move. He is a known sh^tstirrer and (with JQ’s blessing because he was on the ice) decided to ambush a skill player. I’m surprised his nickname isn’t ’snapper’. #1 because he will undoubtedly grow a shell and #2 because that will be what his head will be doing.
and joe…you said it all with your endorsement of Jesse “the money” Ventura.
kj, that endorsement was sarcasm, has that not made it into your little towns yet? you do have cars, don’t you? lol. jk. this will be a good series for fans on both sides, looking forward to it. sorry we hurt maryanne’s feelings. good luck!
hey Joe, when was the Avs last Stanley Cup? 2001? that’s seven years ago. go play with some Yankee fans and their “26 rings, baby” in irrelevant land. your bragging rights expired three years ago.
versus blacked out… so instead of watching the gorgeous vs feed, we get to watch channel 45 which looks like its being played off my uncle’s vhs camera. geez i’m glad i spent all that money on my hdtv..
Av’s in 6. wild blow…
Laperriere: “I won’t fight Boogaard. He knows that.”
I am assuming Gaboriks response if asked about fighting Laperriere would be “Iwon’t fight Laperriere. He knows that.”
And Joe, as a Minnesotan living in CO I can assure there are many obese people here as well.
i’m just waiting for a crucial skoula turnover. and a sweep? the avs have never gotten less than three wins in a first round series
Still with the trolls? Does it never end? Oh, wait, that’s right in 5, then it will end. And all trolls can crawl back under the bridge.
lol you guys are idiots… the difference in size and weight of gabby and lappy is miniscule compared with lappy and boogey.
As well, Lappy is not a pussy… he always fights guys who are bigger than him (just not like a 7 inch difference) and his style of play is anything but pussy…
But I’m glad you guys are concentrating more on a shit ass hockey goon named Boogard than on the actual series… should turn out well for you clowns
and that was 2 punches, not a fight, i can’t believe all you guys are so freakin worked up over it
hey chewly…
a lot of big words coming from a franchise who’s best moment is winning a 2nd round playoff series…
*round of applause*
Hahahahahahahahahaha!!! Patrick you nailed it! And the mild picked up Chris Simon for their playoff run too. Skate fat boy, skate! Hahahahahahahaha!
“— although there was some rough stuff at the end of OT between Wild star Marian Gaborik and Avs forward Ian Laperriere. The Avs were privately upset at some of the hitting done to Peter Forsberg in a game at Minnesota a few weeks ago, and wanted it to be known they would hit Gaborik back, too.”
Denver Post 4/7/08
Mission accomplished. In your face!
Wild fans, let us know the next time your team wins something meaningful.
This kills me the Wild have bit off way more than you can chew. First off last year you got you A** handed to you by a team that they made after a movie about your stupid state of hockey and your hockey is so lame that they had to incorporate the name “mighty” into the team name. So what do you do, you go out and sign all your prison boys. By the way congradulations on finally raising your first banner in the X it was looking mighty bare up there. Just one question how many stanley cups have you guys won? Now your players are dropping out of the lineup before the series even starts. Also why would your “heartless I pulled my groin” Gaborik want to fight Lappy. Just goes to show you that not only does your team lack skill, and heart, defenseman, now they are lacking smarts. Maybe you guys should put Pat Williams in goal cause that may be the only way to stop the goal light from coming on over and over again. Foppa playoff mvp. Go AVS!!
Ha ha! I thought yall knew about hockey up there in MN? Did you see the game? Dear Gabby threw the first ‘punch’. Just be glad Lappy let him go with a warning. And I would love to see Simon or Boogard out there vs our top 1 or 2 lines, just asking for goals to be scored on you. And to the person(s) who think we are dressing Parker, first, he’s hurt, second, we dont need to fight, we just came to win.
Avs in 4, you can not stop the Pete-Paul-Milan line.
Message to Jacque Lemaire:
Pretty please put Derrick Boogard in your lineup so we can torch you while your trying to help out little Gaby and his always tender groin.
Meanwhile, what makes you think that you guys even come close to matching up in this series. We’ve been nowhere close to this healthy at any point this season, so you guys got home ice. However, you might have to break out of your stupid shell because we have a full compliment of defenseman, so your dump and chase and meek forechecking isn’t going to be enough to match our 3 legitimate scoring lines. I hope the Twins will hold you guys over until October. Avs in five or six.
Posted on the denver Post Website:
Farseberg healthy?
Obviously, Forsberg is still having a hard time feeling good from one game to the next. Obviously, playing a full game is taxing on him, either to his groin or ankle or both. He’s played great in the games he has played of late, so much better than a couple of the early ones. He’s just an unbelievable player, which is why it is so frustrating for fans when he disappears from the lineup here and there. Let’s hope, for the Avs’ sake, there aren’t any playoff games that are on back-to-back nights, because they might have to go without No. 21 occasionally if that’s the case.
Laperriere: “I won’t fight Boogaard. He knows that.”
How about Simon?
Minnesota Wild = not enough playoff experience. With Schultz going down, (thats what she said) this series is over before it starts.
By the way, the P.M.P. line will eat the wild for breakfast lunch and dinner. It’s just too much to ask to try and stop them.
To anyone watching that last game, it was obvious that the Wild wanted the Avs to win so they would pull them instead of Calgary. Now, the real games can begin. Wild in 6!!!
