Wilson’s return taking shape

Colorado defenseman hasn’t “felt this good in two, maybe three years” CANADIENS 3, AVALANCHE 2

quebec city » Patrick Roy freedWillie.

Ryan Wilson had much to do with his escape from the Avalanche coach’s doghouse, accepting Roy’s challenge and coming to camp in excellent shape, and it’s all coming together for the undrafted defen- seman who worked so hard to reach theNHLbefore having everything but his salary taken away.

“At the end of last year Patrick challenged me to get back healthy, come ready and be hungry for the season,” Wilson said. “He pretty much said it’s up to me to get my spot back. When someone gives you that opportunity, you have to take it and work as hard as you can and earn it back.”

Wilson logged a team-high 25:42 of ice time in Thursday’s preseason gameatMontreal and was one of two defensemen to also play against the Canadiens on Friday in Quebec City at Colisée Pepsi, the previous home of the Avs franchise formerly known as the Nordiques. Former Quebec/Colorado star center Joe Sakic, theAvs’ executive vice president and general manager, was given a rousing standing ovation when introduced during the first television timeout. The Canadiens went on to win 3-2, scoring three of the last four goals to drop the Avs to 0-4 in the preseason, including two simultaneous splitsquad games against the Anaheim Ducks.

But it began as a special night for everyone affiliated with the Avs, and Wilson again played well on short rest.

In both games in Quebec, Wilson, 27, looked like the player the Avs signed to a three-year, $6.75 million contract in 2012, not the onewhowas demoted to the American Hockey League last season for a conditioning