NUMBERS GAME

16 consecutive games with at least one point for the Avalanche against the Coyotes, posting a 12-0-2-2 record during that stretch.

FIRST FOR LAPERRIERE

Avalanche forward Ian Laperriere missed his first game this season Thursday because of a groin injury. He didn't miss any games last season when he recorded career highs for goals (21) and points (45). Laperriere had played in 162 consecutive games after a concussion caused him to sit out 19 games in 2003-04, when he played for the Los Angeles Kings.

Laperriere, 33, has eight goals - six in the past 23 games - and 20 assists with 124 penalty minutes and a plus-5 plus/minus rating.

SHAKING HIS HEAD

It was Derek Morris Bobblehead Doll Night at Jobing.com Arena, where each fan received one.

Morris, who was acquired by the Avalanche from Calgary in the October 2002 trade that sent Chris Drury to the Flames, was dealt to the Coyotes in March 2004 along with Keith Ballard for Ossi Vaananen, Chris Gratton and a second-round draft pick in 2005 that turned out to be Paul Stastny.

TALE OF ONE SIGNING

The Avalanche has signed University of New Hampshire forward Brett Hemingway to an amateur tryout contract and assigned him to the Albany (N.Y.) River Rats in the American Hockey League.

Hemingway, 23, just completed his senior season with the Wildcats. He was their fifth-leading scorer with 13 goals and 19 assists in 36 games. Hemingway, who is from Yorkton, Saskatchewan, was the Avalanche's sixth selection (225th overall) in the 2003 NHL entry draft.