Glendale, Ariz. – Patrice Brisebois’ bad back kept him in street clothes on New Year’s Eve.
The Avalanche defenseman had what the team described as a back injury before Saturday’s game against Phoenix. The last month or so of 2005 wasn’t all that happy for Brisebois.
He has been a minus-5 in games since Nov. 18, with one goal and two assists. The veteran had an excellent start to the season, with five goals in his first nine games.
Kurt Sauer took Brisebois’ place in the lineup.
May hurt
Avs left wing Brad May left the game in the second period with an apparent knee injury after colliding with a Phoenix player and did not return.
May was involved in a first-period fight as well.
Footnotes
Former Avs defenseman Derek Morris missed the game for Phoenix with an ankle injury. … Joe Sakic entered the game with points in 16 of his past 18 games. … Avs winger Milan Hejduk’s accidental high stick in Friday’s game in San Jose, Calif., resulted in three lost teeth for Sharks star Joe Thornton. … Coyotes coach Wayne Gretzky returned to the bench this week in San Jose, after taking some time off following the death of his mother. … The Avs entered the game 7-0-2-1 in their past 10 meetings with Phoenix. … The New Year’s Eve game was the fifth such contest for the Avs since moving to Denver (3-1-0 previously).
