Avalanche goalie Jose Theodore got good medical news Sunday. The hip flexor he injured Saturday night against Vancouver was improved, and he could practice with the team today.
Team vice president of communications Jean Martineau said Theodore’s condition was “much better.”
Theodore played only the first period of Saturday’s 2-1 loss to the Canucks, stopping all seven shots he faced. He hurt the hip on a disallowed goal by Vancouver’s Markus Naslund early in the period.
“It’s easy to stay in there and try to play hurt,” Theodore said. “But you’re not there to be a hero; you’re there to do your job. I didn’t want to play (at) less than 100 percent.”
Leopold: It’s a process
Avalanche defenseman Jordan Leopold did not appear happy after playing his first game of the season. But that had everything to do with the Avs’ loss, not because of any setback in his rehabilitation from hernia surgery. Leopold said he was feeling good physically but needs time to get his timing back.
“Stuff isn’t quite where it needs to be, but I haven’t played a game in six months, either,” Leopold said. “Overall, I thought it was all right. A little bit more time and I can be right back on track.”
Leopold had a slightly bruised right foot after blocking a shot, and he took a big hit into the boards. He also was called for a holding-the-stick penalty, and finished the game even.
“I just have to get my routine back, the whole thing,” he said. “It’s been so long, with the problems I’ve had. But things felt good, which is a positive thing.
“Winning the game would have been better. We fought; we need to sometimes get a little bit grittier in the corners and the scoring areas. But we put a lot of pucks on net, and that was one of our goals before the game. We just need to find a little bit more of that scoring touch.”
Avalanche coach Joel Quenneville sat veteran Patrice Brisebois to make room for Leopold, but might do so with other defensemen on a rotating basis.
Adrian Dater can be reached at 303-954-1360 or adater@denverpost.com.
