GLENDALE, Ariz. — Avalanche defenseman Cory Sarich was eager to return to the lineup Thursday night after skipping Tuesday’s resounding victory over the defending Stanley Cup champion Chicago Blackhawks. Sarich, 35, was a healthy scratch in the 5-1 triumph at the Pepsi Center, but the Avs had planned for him to take periodic breaks through- out the season.
The 6-foot-4 Sarich was back among the six-man corps against the Phoenix Coyotes at Arena.
“It was good for everybody’s plus-minus (rating),” Sarich joked after Thursday’s morning skate about the individual benefits of winning 5-1. “I tried to use it to my advantage. Get some rest. Couple extra days, couple good sleeps. It is re-energizing, seeing your team have success like that and you have to sit there and watch it. Makes you want to be out there doing it.”
Sarich, who played in the first 19 games for the Avs and had a plus-4 rating, replaced 26-year-old unofficial rookie Nick Holden. The Avs continued to use young defenseman Tyson Barrie, 22, who had two assists against the Blackhawks in his first NHL game since being called up from Colorado’s American Hockey League affiliate.
Footnotes. Colorado demoted defenseman Matt Hunwick and his $1.6 million NHL contract to Lake Erie on Wednesday night. … The Avs are carrying just 21 available players, with center Matt Duchene (oblique), winger Alex Tanguay (knee) and defenseman Ryan Wilson (back) on the injured list. … Phoenix activated Derek Morris, a former Avalanche defenseman, off injured reserve and replaced him with Zbynek Michalek. Mike Chambers, The Denver Post
