Miikka Kiprusoff Leaves Game with Groin Injury
It’s been a while, perhaps never, when fans saw Miikka Kiprusoff not come out for a game he’s started because of injury. That’s what happened in the third period in the first of three games on the road for the league basement dwellers.
Coming off a heartbreaking loss against Chicago, Calgary knew they had to pick up where they left off and hope their play would translate into a win.
Getting things moving was Steve Begin, not with a goal, but a fight. The next shift Jarome Iginla banged home his 1st of the year. 1-0 Flames.
Detroit wound up in penalty trouble, which is unlike a Detroit hockey club, but the refs were happy to call soft calls both ways all game. Calgary capitalized on their only 5v3 PP when Glencross took a nice feed in the crease from Cammalleri.
That would be all the scoring till the middle frame when Detroit got their special teams moving with a fancy backhanded goal. In true Detroit form they crashed and crashed the net, one of the plays, we’re unsure which one, lead to the Kiprusoff injury.
The NHL needs to pay closer attention to crease violations, Calgary no angel either.
Calgary retook a two goal lead very late in the second period when Wideman scored his second. After a shaky start he’s come on nicely.
The only scoring in the third period came courtesy of a PP marker when Giordano wired home his first. The third period saw Leland Irving enter the net, and although he was out of position for some plays, backstopped the Flames the rest of the way.
Calgary pulled out a crucial win and gave fans a glimmer of hope they could win their games in hand and at least pull out of the basement of the Conference.
No word on how severe Kipper’s injury is or if the Flames will have to sign one of their minor league goalies Danny Taylor or Barry Brust. Next game in two days against a very beatable Columbus. Stay tuned to our Flames Twitter account @flamesstamps for updates on Kiprusoff’s condition.
What’s that sound? It’s the sound of the Flames clicking as a team! Great 60 minutes of defensive and offensive effort, very exciting to watch! Onwards and upwards!
Well said, Quixote. It had been a great 60 minutes and just the way fans would love to see their Flames play. Hopefully, an identical performance will persevere the rest of the road trip. Go Flames Go!!!
Great way to start the road trip and the two points are well cherished. Congrats to Iginla (the igniter), Glencross, Giordano (the power play experts) and Wideman for their timely inputs!! Sad to hear about Kipper; hopefully it is not as severe. Alternatively, it was good to see Leland Irving’s cool and composed performance. Good luck Flames!!!