No stage fright for Avalanche's Wolski

0 Comments | Gazette, The (Colorado Springs), Apr 23, 2006 | by JAKE SCHALLER THE GAZETTE

DALLAS - Nobody questioned Wojtek Wolski's talent.

But when the 20-year-old forward was added to the Colorado Avalanche playoff roster after spending most of the season with his junior team, it was uncertain how he would respond to the intense playoff atmosphere.

Not anymore.

Wolski scored a goal and had two assists Saturday to help Colorado to a 5-2 win over Dallas in Game 1 of their Western Conference quarterfinal series at American Airlines Center.

"It's always a question mark when you call a kid from juniors to the NHL, and on top of it, the postseason," Avalanche forward Ian Laperriere said. Then Laperriere paused and shook his head no.

"Everybody saw how great he is," Laperriere said.

Wolski, who played nine games with the Avalanche at the start of the season before being sent back to juniors, rejoined the team Wednesday.

It didn't take him long to make an impact. Early in the second period, after a Dallas turnover, Jim Dowd slid a pass from behind the net to Wolski, who was moving left-to-right in front of the goal. With a backhanded motion, Wolski one-timed the puck past lunging Stars goalie Marty Turco to tie the score at 2-2.

"That was a great play," Colorado coach Joel Quenneville said. "Quick hands around the net, he had a little bit of pace on the shot, which he needed to get by (Turco)."

Turco shaky

Turco has been mentioned as a candidate for the Vezina Trophy (given to the NHL's top netminder) for his standout regular season, in which he won 41 games. But Turco has been mediocre at best in the playoffs, and Saturday he struggled again.

Turco gave up five goals on 31 shots to fall to 7-11 in his postseason career.

Avalanche goalie Jose Theodore gave up two goals on 18 shots. He is 2-3-1 with Colorado and has given up 17 goals on 151 shots.

Etc.

Colorado has not allowed a powerplay goal in its past four games. Avalanche opponents are 0 for 20 in that span... The announced sellout crowd of 18,532 at American Airlines Center welcomed the Stars with passionate cheers and then booed them as they left the ice.