"The ebb and flow of the encroaching mob, the thicket of cameras, microphones and bodies three feet or so to the left was providing a screen that not even the Calgary Tower could see around.

"Kipper?'' queried Henrik Karlsson, all 6-foot-5 of him, craning his neck in a futile attempt to catch as much as a fleeting glimpse of Miikka Kiprusoff, lost in interrogation.

It was as if Dustin Byfuglien and Zdeno Chara had both set up shop in the rangy Swede's grill.

Karlsson, peeling off layers of gear, shrugged, abandoning the search.

"The first time I saw him play? I'd say in Sweden. When he was with AIK. Probably 12 years ago. Of course I've watched him a long time. He's been a top goalie a long time.

"Being a goalie, I like to watch top goalies.''

The top goalie has, everyone hopes, scraped bottom.

Meaning the only direction from here on in is up; beyond the sky, out of earth's orbit and back in among the brightest stars in hockey's constellation.

"With a guy like Kip, he's made those unbelievable saves for so long now, that if he doesn't make one or two a game it's like 'Whoa, what's wrong with him!?','' said defenceman Mark Giordano."