"As anniversaries go, Nov. 16 is a major date in Calgary Flames history.

It was on that day in 2003 when one move played a major part in finally turning the team's fortunes.

While the flickering Flames were coming off a seventh straight season without making the playoffs and appeared destined for the same fate again with their 7-8-2 record, GM Darryl Sutter acquired goaltender Miikka Kiprusoff from the San Jose Sharks for a second-round draft choice.

We all remember what happened after that.

Kiprusoff was the backbone of a team which ended the playoff drought, while setting a modern-day goals-against average record, and then helped carry the team to Game 7 of the Stanley Cup final over an unforgettable couple of months.

In short, he was almost a miracle worker — a huge achievement for a netminder who was third on the Sharks depth chart watching game after game from the press box.

A Vezina Trophy, a couple of all-star game appearances and a selection to the first all-star team in 2006, and the Flames have been fortunate to have a world-class, top-flight goalie since that trade.

Fast forward to today, and it's become obvious Kiprusoff must again conjure that old magic.

Otherwise, the Flames have absolutely no hope of making the playoffs, let alone mounting anything of a Stanley Cup run.

Heading into Wednesday night's clash with the Phoenix Coyotes, the Flames will not only be on a run of six losses in seven outings — all in regulation — but their 7-9-0 record puts them ahead of only the Edmonton Oilers in the Western Conference standings."