Is Kiprusoff Poised to Lead Another Postseason Run by the Flames?
The Colorado Avalanche made a late surge for the final playoff berth in the Western Conference, but the Calgary Flames have held off the Avs with a four-game winning streak. The Flames weren't beating up on also-rans to move seven points ahead of Colorado for the final spot in the West. Their win streak includes victories over powerhouses Detroit and Nashville as well as red-hot Minnesota in St. Paul.
Calgary goaltender Miikka Kiprusoff has allowed just five goals in the four wins, posting a stellar .960 save percentage along the way. He stopped 53 of 56 shots in beating Nashville and Detroit in Calgary, where his team posted a pair of one-goal victories despite being outshot 56-51. Then Kiprusoff saved 38 shots in regulation Tuesday night, plus two more in the shootout, to lead the Flames to a 1-0 win over Minnesota. The shutout ended the Wild's nine-game winning streak.
Perhaps Kiprusoff is getting ready for another memorable postseason, similar to the one that included five shutouts and Calgary falling one win short of claiming the Stanley Cup in 2003-04. His 1.85 goals-against average and .928 save percentage in the playoffs ranked among league leaders.
Kiprusoff led the NHL in GAA during the 2003-04 season, and ranked second to Minnesota's Dwayne Roloson in save percentage. Although he hasn't been as dominant, Kiprusoff still ranks among the league leaders in both GAA and save percentage in 2006-07. There have been some rough spots in recent weeks, but what better time to be on top of your game than the beginning of April. The West's eighth seed reached the Stanley Cup finals a year ago -- with Roloson leading Edmonton -- and that should be an inspiration to both Kiprusoff and his Calgary Flames.
Comments
Kipsrusoff and the flames aren't even going to make the playoffs! Seriously, look at Colorado, they have been playing hot and colorado in the playoffs means they will lose to the Red Wings 4-2 In the 1st round. Then the Wings will roll into the semi-finals to be killed by San Jose or Minnesota. The real big match-up will be in the East when Buffalo faces Toronto. It WILL be won in OT by Buffalo in game 7, then Buffalo will easily win its way to the first Stanley Cup for their franchse!
Posted by: Jeremy Tuljus | March 30, 2007 04:28 PM
It will take an unbelievable finish by the Avs to catch Calgary. They are down seven points with just five games to go. Although the two teams play each other twice more in the final week, the Avs have cooled off, losing two of their last four games. Every loss is a nail in the coffin at this point of the season.
Posted by: TH | March 30, 2007 11:42 PM
An unbelievable finish by colorado wont be enough. Calgary needs one more win to clinch, in three attempts, and they're playing well.
Calgary will be a very dangerous 8 seed.
Posted by: Joel Leviton | April 2, 2007 04:45 PM
I agree about Calgary. It would be interesting to see the Flames face the Red Wings, who have found the first round isn't exactly a picnic. Of course, the Flames will also have a battle on their hands, whether they face Detroit or Nashville.
Posted by: TH | April 2, 2007 05:53 PM
Eventhough I am a Detroit fan and live near Detroit, if detroit faces Calgary, which they probably will, they will lose in the 1st round because they are not good against Canadian teams in the same division as Calgary.
Posted by: JT | April 5, 2007 08:46 PM
Too RIGHT! I do believe the Flames became reborn contenders by the end of the season, but injuries through the year made it look worse than it really was, perhaps. Guess we'll soon see.
Posted by: Malcolm McColl | April 12, 2007 07:09 AM
I think the real surprise, those Stars. Wow, what a grind to start the playoffs. It was an amazing display of goaltending in those overtime periods, both of them
Posted by: Malcolm McColl | April 12, 2007 07:13 AM